River flooding washes out part of Dalton Highway

DEADHORSE, Alaska (KTUU) - A section of highway on one of Alaska’s most northern roads was closed late Wednesday due to a partial washout stemming from ice jam flooding from a nearby river.

Water from the Sag River washed out part of the Dalton Highway at milepost 403.5, approximately 10 miles south of Deadhorse, according to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

An official with the department said ice breakup triggered the Sag River to flood and wash out a portion of the road up to the centerline.

The road was completely closed off for about 18 hours, starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, before reopening to a single lane around 1 p.m. Thursday.

DOT Communications Manager Danielle Tessen said in an email that it is a “dynamic situation.”

“Repairs are going as planned at this time with the 9 loads of materials being brought in last night and an additional 10 loads this morning,” Tessen said. “Materials for repairs are located at a site about 150 miles away, so multiple trucks are running to respond quickly to make necessary repairs.”

Tessen said DOT does not expect the highway to be limited through the weekend.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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