(VALDEZ, Alaska) –The Richardson Highway from milepost 12 to 42 remains closed until further notice.

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) staff continues to monitor the level of the lake formed behind the avalanche dam in Keystone Canyon. The water continues to recede, however the area is still too unstable and dangerous for crews to begin clearing slide debris. A timeline for when this work will begin is still unknown due to the variability of the receding water.

ADOT&PF crews began clearing slide debris today at milepost 39. Upon clearing this section of highway, the department will conduct additional avalanche mitigation measures. Once it is determined that the snowpack is stable in this section of the highway, the road may open from milepost 42-19. Until further notice this section of the highway remains closed. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and to respect all posted road closures.

Additional updates, press releases, images and video may be found at: dot.alaska.gov/richardsonavalanche

For further details and updates on road conditions, please visit 511.alaska.gov, dial 5-1-1, or check for 511 updates on Facebook and Twitter. ADOT&PF reminds drivers to exercise extreme caution if traveling through mountain passes in this region as there is an increased possibility for more avalanches to occur and to be aware of flaggers and heavy equipment in the roadway.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 35 communities along 3,500 marine miles, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839 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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