The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will impose seasonal weight restrictions on roads across the Northern Region starting April 17 at 8 a.m. The restrictions affect all vehicles over 10,000 pounds and vary by road condition.

The Northern Region extends from Mile 163 of the Parks Highway north and from Mile 118 of the Glenn Highway northeast, including road systems in Cordova and Nome. The Elliott Highway from Mile 0 to 72 and the Dalton Highway from Mile 0 to 414 will have no restrictions.

Most major highways, including the Parks Highway from Cantwell to Fairbanks and the Richardson Highway from Valdez to Johnson Road, will be restricted to 85 percent of legal axle load. Long combination vehicles of 90 feet or more with at least two trailers can carry 100 percent legal loads on drive axles with no overloads.

Many secondary roads face stricter limits. Roads in the Healy area, Edgerton Highway, and Lake Louise Road will be restricted to 75 percent of legal axle load. Nabesna Road and numerous roads in Delta and Fairbanks will be limited to 50 percent of legal axle load.

The restrictions protect roads during spring thaw when pavement is most vulnerable to damage. The department monitors conditions closely and will adjust restrictions as needed.

The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement division will enforce the restrictions. A complete list of affected roads is available at dot.state.ak.us/mscve/main.cfm under Weight Restrictions.

Contact Daniel Adamczak, Northern Region Maintenance and Operations Engineer, at 907-451-2294 or [email protected].