Photos courtesy Alaska Trailblazing, Inc
Crews from Alaska Trailblazing, Inc. are busy cleaning up the Whittier rock slide using heavy equipment. The rockslide has shut down the road to Whittier since Saturday, April 11.
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Photos courtesy Alaska Trailblazing, Inc |
A massive slide that dumped tons of rock and debris onto Portage Glacier Highway forcing the road’s closure April 11 continues to impede clean up operations and the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has postponed Wednesday’s planned reopening.
“A large section of rock at the top of the slide area is showing significant movement, so we have halted all site operations until the rock slope above the work zone can be stabilized and the area is safe for the workers,” said Frank Richards, DOT&PF’s Deputy Commissioner of Highways and Public Facilities.
DOT&PF contract geologists are developing a plan to blast the rock slab and then remove the resulting debris.
“At this time, we don’t want to estimate a date when the road will be opened,” Richards said. “The road will not open until we are sure the traveling public will be safe.”
The Alaska Railroad has established shuttle service for people desiring to travel between Anchorage and Whittier. Travelers can learn more about the railroad’s shuttle schedule on their website www.akrr.com or by calling 1-800-478-4340.
DOT&PF also encourages travelers to check the website 511.Alaska.gov – Travel in the Know where updated information will be posted regularly.
The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) and the Alaska Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) announce a joint toll free phone number providing updates
and information on rail and road access to Whittier. 1-800-478-4340
People calling this 1-800 number can access passenger train reservations, freight train reservation, and
hear recorded rail transportation updates, and road condition and road work updates. Anyone planning to use
the Whittier Train for any reason must make a reservation.
In addition to the Joint Whittier Access Update Line, ARRC and DOT&PF are publishing schedule
and status updates to respective web sites. Rail passenger and freight customers can visit
www.AlaskaRailroad.com and click on either “Breaking News” or “Whittier Access” under the MEDIA
category. People interested in road work progress can visit www.dot.state.ak.us. The DOT&PF web page is
also linked to the ARRC web page.
For more ARRC information, contact ARRC Assistant Vice President of Corporate Affairs Wendy
Lindskoog at (907) 265-2498 or ARRC Public Involvement Officer Stephenie Wheeler at (907) 265-2671.
For more DOT&PF information, contact the department’s Chief Communications Officer Roger Wetherell
at (907) 465-8994.