Dalton highway flood.

• Position: BUSINESS

Governor Bill Walker declared two state disasters in response to flooding that made the Dalton Highway impassable. Beginning March 13, the Sagavanirktok (Sag) River overflowed the Dalton Highway between MP 390 and MP 405 in multiple locations, with the overflow level as much as thirty inches higher than the road in some areas.

At 12 a.m. May 18, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities closed the Dalton Highway again at MP 394 to MP 403 due to extreme flooding of the road. Water up to two feet deep was reported over the road.

The Dalton Highway reopened to traffic after an eighteen-day closure: Traffic began moving on the road at 8 a.m. June 5. The highway was open to two-way traffic, but drivers encountered a section with flaggers and pilot car at MP 412 to MP 414.

It was estimated that emergency repairs would cost $7 million, and $2 million of Emergency Relief funds from the US Department of Transportation's Federal Highway...