(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) – The Denali Highway remains closed. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) usually opens the 135 mile highway, which connects Cantwell, on the Parks Highway, to Paxson, on the Richardson Highway, by May 15. Uncommon spring weather, including heavy snow storms and cold temperatures, has delayed the opening this year.

ADOT&PF Maintenance and Operations crews start opening the road in April. This year crews have had less time to open the Denali Highway because they are being called back to their normal duty stations to clear snow on the Richardson, Glenn and Parks highways. Crews are also having to reopen sections they’ve already plowed because snow is drifting the road closed again.

ADOT&PF will update travelers when the road is open. Drivers should use extra caution and visit 511.alaska.gov or call 511 for the latest road conditions before traveling.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 255 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,619 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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