The deadline to change out studded vehicle tires to drive on Alaska’s roads is fast approaching. Alaskans living below the 60 North Latitude line, which is just south of Ninilchik, includes Anchor Point, Homer, Kodiak, and cities and towns in Southeast Alaska, must change out studded tires to drive on Alaska roadways by April 15 (Friday). Alaskans living above the 60 North Latitude line must change out studded tires to drive on Alaska roadways by May 1st.
DPS Commissioner Jim Cockrell:
“Spring appears to be arriving across much of Alaska. Warmer daytime temperatures have begun to clear much of the ice and snow off the roadways, making it safe to get back on summer tires again.”
Shannon McCarthy, Public Information Officer for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities told KSRM that studded tires on dry pavement can damage the road surface:
“Essentially, we require that people take off their studded tires in the late spring and summer. The reason why we do that is we want to actually, when people don’t need studs, we want them off the roads, so they cause less damage because studded tires on a warm road actually take quite a bit of chunks out of the road.”
According to a recent study, studded tire use sampled on Alaska roads reduced the surface life of the asphalt road by almost half. Statewide DOT&PF estimates that the cost from damage caused by studded tires is about $13.7 million per year.
After the deadline, motorists continuing to drive with studded tires could be issued a citation.