Alaska’s state transportation officials have announced the closure of the Dalton Highway, a vital route to the oil fields in the north, due to a significant flooding event. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities reported washouts and erosion affecting a broad stretch of the road between mileposts 305 and 356, prompting immediate repairs.
The emergency closure commenced on Saturday after a major washout occurred at milepost 315, attributed to a failed culvert that resulted in an 80-foot-wide, 30-foot-deep breach across the road. Located approximately 100 miles from Deadhorse, the industrial hub for the enormous Prudhoe Bay oil fields, this section of the road is crucial for transportation.
Danielle Tessen, a spokesperson for the state transportation agency, stated that areas around mileposts 315 and 345 are currently the main focus for repairs, with plans to open single-lane traffic, managed by road flaggers, by Wednesday. She also noted that milepost 345 has a damaged embankment due to road flooding.
While some areas are stabilizing as water levels recede, state transportation officials remain vigilant about potential problems occurring north and south of the closure site. Ice jams near the major washout at milepost 315 are also under close observation, as melting snows raise flood concerns.
The Dalton Highway, recognized as the Haul Road, serves as the only road access to Alaska’s economically significant oil patch on the North Slope. The gravel and dirt road spans approximately 400 miles, beginning about 85 miles north of Fairbanks and extending to Deadhorse, a town also popular for Arctic Ocean tours. It gained fame as a prominent feature in the reality TV series “Ice Road Truckers.”
Traffic counts at milepost 339 indicated that around 200 vehicles used the closed section daily during this time in 2023, with over 100 of those being tractor-trailers. The National Weather Service has since issued flood warnings and watches across the North Slope due to rapidly melting snow, particularly along the Sagavanirktok River, which runs alongside the Haul Road.
Rick Thoman, a climate specialist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, explained that the sudden melting was caused by a heat spell following an unusually cold spring. Although temperatures rose significantly, surpassing 60 degrees in Deadhorse on Saturday, Thoman classified this shift as a typical event, noting that it has occurred before without a clear link to climate change.
Trucking companies are reporting that the road closure has left dozens of trucks stranded, unable to deliver supplies to the oil fields. Ty Gifford, director of operations for Black Gold Express, mentioned around 20 truckloads containing pipes and other supplies waiting in Fairbanks, as well as five trucks stuck on the Deadhorse side of the washout.
Gifford expressed hope that the road would reopen on Wednesday as expected, but noted that the delays added operational costs. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the swift response from the state and identified a strategy for operational efficiency by increasing focus on deliveries to other customers along the state’s paved road system, such as those in Kenai or Anchorage.
The companies operating in the North Slope are adept at preparing for road closures by stockpiling essential supplies like food and fuel. In emergency scenarios, they also have the option to fly in necessary items if required.
In an update from the state, the Department of Transportation mentioned that its crews and contractors were actively working to stabilize the breach at milepost 315, mobilizing materials and equipment for repairs. Concerns are also growing due to additional areas emerging along the corridor, such as water overtopping at milepost 318 and shoulder damage noted between mileposts 321 and 325, and impounded water observed at milepost 351 due to a blocked culvert.
Excavators and heavy equipment are at work near the washout as crews focus on installing two new 48-inch steel culverts with a 36-inch overflow pipe to mitigate further damage. Tessen reported continuous communication with approximately 300 truckers and company officials to provide regular updates on road conditions.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported resulting from the washouts, while approximately five camper vehicles are currently stranded in safe sections of the closed area, with ongoing check-ins from state officials.
Rebecca Logan, CEO of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance, stressed that companies typically have contingency measures to handle unexpected road closures. She added that the Dalton Highway is a critical supply route for food, equipment, and other essentials for many workers across several oil fields. In the event of an extended closure, the ability to transport goods by air remains a viable option for meeting critical needs.
ConocoPhillips, Alaska’s leading North Slope oil producer, is closely observing the situation. A company spokesperson stated they are evaluating the short-term impacts and exploring workarounds for ongoing operations, affirming readiness to assist the Department of Transportation in their response efforts.
Noteworthy is the ongoing concern regarding erosion at milepost 402, which has been historically vulnerable to such incidents. This area has seen similar flooding and closures in the past, particularly related to different flooding sources like aufeis, a phenomenon where water flowing beneath ice caps bursts forth under pressure.
The Department of Transportation remains committed to monitoring the situation actively and has promised updates during twice-daily briefings until the highway is eventually reopened. As the repairs continue, many anticipate the reopening while the economic implications of the closure underscore the vital role the Dalton Highway plays in Alaska’s oil production and supply chains.
image source from：https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2025/06/16/major-washout-closes-road-to-alaskas-north-slope-oil-fields/
