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Fierce Winter Conditions Close Richardson Hwy from Mile 185 to Mile 202 (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities / January 25, 2013) |
Update, (9:32 p.m.): A section of the Richardson Highway remained closed Friday night due to fierce winter conditions, according to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
DOT spokesperson Meadow Bailey said mile 185 near Paxson Lodge to mile 202 near McCullam Creek stayed closed as of 9:30 p.m. due to "drifting snow, winds, ice, heavy snow, avalanche clean up, and no visibility."
State crews have set up barricades at mile 185 and mile 261 at the Fort Greely gates. Officials will continue to monitor the conditions and will have an update Saturday morning.
Original, (4:42 p.m.): The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities says the Richardson Highway remains closed Friday afternoon, as poor road conditions and visibility from blowing snow persist.
DOT spokesperson Meadow Bailey says the closure, from milepost 185 around the Paxson Lodge area to milepost 202 around Fielding Lake, is still in effect with whiteout conditions prevalent as of 2 p.m. Friday.
"Due to blowing, drifting snow there is no visibilty and highways are impassable," the department said in a statement earlier Friday.
There are barricades being placed at mile 261, the Fort Greely gates, and traffic will not be able to pass this point.
Bailey says the earliest projected opening time for the highway between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday -- weather permitting.
Contact Jessica Ridgway
Editor's Note: KTUU's Reba Lean contributed to updates to this story.
