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THANE ROAD Avalanche Hazard Reduction
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Thane Road Avalanche Hazard Reduction and Closure Notices

Thane Road is CLOSED - Re-evaluation on Wednesday, March 25 at 10AM

For real-time road updates and status, visit: 511.alaska.gov

March 24, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

Thane Road is CLOSED and will remain closed overnight. A re-evaluation is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, March 25, at 10:00 a.m.

Current Status: Thane Road remains closed at the avalanche gates due to an emergency closure triggered by rapidly increasing ridgetop winds. These winds increased significantly earlier than forecasted, to the point at which avalanche hazard reduction became unfeasible using available methods. Strong ridgetop winds are rapidly transporting new snow, which increases the likelihood of a natural avalanche reaching the roadway. Because these winds are forecasted to increase throughout the day, the road must remain closed for the safety of the traveling public.

If a natural avalanche occurs and debris reaches the roadway, an extended closure may be necessary to safely remove debris once weather conditions allow for safe mitigation. If you have any questions regarding this closure, please call the Southcoast Public Information Officer 907-465-4503.

March 23, 2026, 3:30 p.m.

Thane Road will be CLOSED Tuesday, March 24th 9AM-12PM

Thane Road will be closed at the avalanche gates on Tuesday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Avalanche Hazard Reduction.

Today’s planned mission was canceled due to weather. As of 3:00 p.m., Thane Road is open to the traveling public. However, the avalanche hazard remains elevated. Do not STOP or park in the designated avalanche area.

Please note the road could close with limited notice prior to tomorrow's scheduled window if conditions change. If a natural avalanche occurs, clearing operations will be delayed until weather conditions allow for safe mitigation. Residents should ensure they have sufficient supplies in the event of a multi-day closure. Please visit the CBJ emergency management site (https://juneau.org/emergency/personal-and-household-preparedness) for personal and household preparedness details.

March 21, 2026, 5 p.m.

Thane Road will be CLOSED Monday, March 23rd 12PM-3PM

Thane Road will be closed at the avalanche gates on Monday, March 23, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (weather dependent) for Avalanche Hazard Reduction. If avalanche debris reaches the roadway, an extended closure may be necessary to safely remove debris. DOT&PF reminds all motorists DO NOT STOP or park within the designated avalanche area.

March 17, 2026, 5 p.m.

PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY: INCREASING AVALANCHE HAZARD - THANE ROAD

Due to heavy and continuous snowfall at higher elevations, avalanche hazard above Thane Road is increasing. Snowfall is expected to continue over the next few days, further increasing avalanche hazard.

Travelers: DOT&PF reminds you DO NOT STOP or Park in the avalanche zone. Your safety depends on moving through these zones without delay.

Thane Residents: Be advised that the road could close with minimal notice. DOT&PF plans to conduct avalanche hazard reduction in the near future as weather allows. DOT&PF will provide as much advanced notice as possible.

If we are unable to perform planned hazard reduction and a natural avalanche blocks the road, an extended closure will be necessary until conditions allow for safe mitigation and clearing.

Residents should ensure they have sufficient supplies in the event of a multi-day closure. Please visit the CBJ emergency management site for personal and household preparedness details.

For real-time road updates and status, visit: 511.alaska.gov

March 11, 2026, 3 p.m.

Thane Road is now OPEN. DOT&PF reminds all motorists DO NOT STOP or park within the designated avalanche area.

March 11, 2026, 9 a.m.

Thane Road will be closed at the avalanche gates TODAY, Wednesday, March 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for avalanche hazard reduction. Following yesterday’s weather-related delay, crews are taking advantage of today's clearer conditions to complete the mission. If avalanche debris reaches the roadway, an extended closure may be necessary to safely remove debris.

March 10, 2026, 2:50 p.m.

Thane Road is now OPEN. Due to weather conditions, the mission was concluded early. Please be advised that additional road closures are possible. DOT&PF reminds all motorists DO NOT STOP or park within the designated avalanche area.

March 9, 2026

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) will be conducting Avalanche Hazard Reduction above Thane Road on Tuesday, March 10 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (weather dependent). Thane Road will be closed at the avalanche gates during that time. If avalanche debris reaches the roadway, an extended closure may be necessary to safely remove debris.

March 7, 2026

Thane Road is now OPEN. While no new avalanches were detected overnight, please be advised that avalanche hazards remains elevated.

March 6, 2026

Thane Road remains closed due to elevated avalanche hazard to the roadway. Overnight, monitoring systems detected nine avalanches in the region, several of which ran within close proximity of Thane Road. Ongoing precipitation and warming temperatures continue to lead to an unstable snowpack and the hazard elevated. DOT&PF is continuously assessing conditions and will provide an update on when it is safe to reopen the roadway. The next update will be provided at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

March 5, 2026

Thane Road will be closed at the avalanche gates Thursday, March 5 at 10 p.m. due to high avalanche hazard to the roadway. This emergency closure will be reevaluated at 12 p.m. on Friday, March 6. If a natural avalanche reaches the roadway, DOT&PF may not be able to safely remove avalanche debris until conditions improve through mitigation work or a natural decrease in avalanche hazard.

March 4, 2026

Thane Road is now open at the avalanche gates as of 9 a.m., Wednesday, March 4. Motorists should be prepared for difficult road conditions until a plow can make it out to clear the area. DOT&PF has plans for a plow to be out on Thane Road today.

Please be advised that avalanche hazards remains elevated. Additional road closures are likely over the next few days as avalanche hazard increases with warming temperatures and additional snowfall. DOT&PF reminds all drivers DO NOT STOP or Park in the avalanche area for any reason.

March 3, 2026, 1 p.m.

Thane Road will be closed at the avalanche gates starting today, Tuesday, March 3, at 6 p.m. due to high avalanche hazard to the roadway.

This emergency closure will be re-evaluated at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4.

If a natural avalanche reaches the roadway, DOT&PF may not be able to safely remove avalanche debris until conditions improve through mitigation work or a natural decrease in avalanche hazard.

March 3, 2026

PSA: INCREASING AVALANCHE HAZARD - THANE ROAD

Due to heavy and continuous snowfall and warming at higher elevations, avalanche hazard above Thane Road is rising rapidly.

Travelers: DOT&PF reminds you DO NOT STOP or Park in the avalanche zone. Your safety depends on moving through these zones without delay.

Thane Residents: Be advised that the road could close with limited notice. Please be prepared for a potential and extended closure. If a natural avalanche blocks the road, clearing operations will be delayed until weather conditions allow for safe mitigation. Residents should ensure they have sufficient supplies for a multi-day closure.

Please visit the CBJ emergency management site for personal and household preparedness details.

Here’s how DOT&PF will typically share information out to the Thane residents about potential road closures:

  1. Early notification typically uses the orange avalanche control signs on Thane Road.
    • If DOT&PF is planning an avalanche hazard reduction mission, we will try to have those signs updated as soon as we anticipate needing a mission.
    • So, the signs could be updated a day or two (as conditions allow) in advance of a mission.  
       
  2. The second notification goes out via a GovDelivery alert within 24 hours of a potential road closure.
    • Once the GovDelivery alert is sent, it is highly likely that a road closure/hazard reduction mission will occur.

By using the warning signs, DOT&PF can give Thane residents a heads up that a mission will likely occur. Once the GovDelivery alert is sent, a mission is planned and residents should expect a road closure.

Because the avalanche hazard mitigation work depend on changing snow conditions and weather, it’s possible that DOT&PF uses the signs or both signs and alerts, then calls off the mission.

DOT&PF recommends that all Thane residents sign up for GovDelivery alerts and share sign up info widely.

To subscribe to texts or emails about Thane Road avalanche hazard reduction work (including road closure notices):

Please contact DOT&PF with questions:

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 10 ferries serving 35 communities, over 5,600 miles of highway and 776 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to "Keep Alaska Moving."