(Anchorage, Alaska) —The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) announced that the avalanche that had closed the Seward Highway at MP 37, at the “Y” intersection with the Sterling Highway, has been cleared and traffic flow has been restored on the Seward and Sterling Highways as of 3:00 this afternoon.

ADOT&PF continues to advise drivers that the risk of avalanche remains considerable in the Turnagain Pass/Seward Highway area. Further small to medium avalanches are likely, and small amounts of debris on the highway is possible. Drivers should avoid this area if possible, but if travel is necessary, proceed directly to your destination and avoid unnecessary stoppages along the way. Further, drivers should expect difficult wintertime driving conditions, are advised to drive cautiously and at reduced speeds, and to be aware of road crews and plow trucks.

In addition, further avalanche risk reduction work is expected to continue through tomorrow. Drivers are advised to expect delays of 20-40 minutes in active areas.

Updates on road conditions can be found at the 511.alaska.gov website or by dialing 511 on your telephone.

For more information, contact Rick Feller, DOT&PF public information officer, @ (907) 269-0772, rick.feller@alaska.gov, or (907) 632-9198 (cell).

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) oversees 254 airports, 11 ferries serving 33 communities, 5,700 miles of highway and 660 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of ADOT&PF is to “Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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