Incredibly difficult road conditions have led to Girdwood Fire and Rescue to request additional highway traction assistance from the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities early this morning.
The emergency rescue service says that both the Alyeska Highway in Girdwood and the Seward Highway are solid ice, saying that driving conditions from 2:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. between Anchorage and Girdwood was very bad due to the rain and ice.
The National Weather Service in Anchorage reports that areas of rain and freezing rain are falling from Bird Point and Girdwood to the lower elevations of Turnagain Pass. That’s expected to continue through this morning before turning back over to snow. Although temperatures around Girdwood and across Portage Valley are generally above freezing, rain that is falling is refreezing onto roads that are still below freezing, or snow covered. Rain freezing onto area roadways may cause slippery driving conditions. Motorists are urged to use caution and slow down when traveling through the area.
Girdwood Fire and Rescue says on their Facebook page that if you can work from home or delay a trip into town, until DOT&PF can improve the road conditions, they’d recommend waiting.
AK511, as of 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning states that the Seward Highway from the Turnagain Arm, to Whittier and to Girdwood are listed as hazardous. For the latest road conditions, visit 511.alaska.gov.