Alaska DOT imposes four-tier weight limits on Northern Region roads

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has imposed seasonal weight restrictions across Northern Region roads effective May 21, 2026, at 8 a.m., establishing a four-tier system that limits commercial vehicle loads from full legal axle weight to 50 percent of legal axle load depending on road conditions during spring thaw.

The restrictions apply to all vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight and cover roads from Valdez north to Fairbanks, extending across the Interior and into Cordova. While the Northern Region boundaries include road systems within Nome, this notice does not list specific Nome roads under restriction.

The Parks Highway from Mile 163 to 356 (Cantwell to Fairbanks) and most other state-maintained roads in the Fairbanks North Star Borough will operate at 100 percent of legal axle load, the least restrictive category. Long Combination Vehicles of 90 feet or more with at least two trailers receive full legal axle loads on drive axles for these routes, with no overloads permitted.

Major highways including the Richardson Highway from Valdez to Johnson Road, the Glenn Highway from the Northern Region boundary to Glennallen, the Alaska Highway from the Canadian border to Delta, and the Tok Cutoff face 85 percent of legal axle load restrictions. Long Combination Vehicles receive the same drive-axle allowance on these routes.

The Steese Highway from Mile 21 to 81, Shaw Creek Road, Johnson Road from the Richardson Highway intersection to Mile 1.5, Mineral Creek Loop Road, Dayville Road, Airport Road, Copper River Highway, and all state-maintained roads in Valdez, Cordova, Tazlina, Copper Center, Glennallen, and Tok fall under the 85 percent category without the Long Combination Vehicle exemption.

A 75 percent of legal axle load restriction applies to dozens of roads including all state-maintained roads in the Healy area, the Elliott Highway from Mile 73 to 150 (Livengood to Manley), and the Taylor Highway, Edgerton Highway, and Lake Louise Road. In the Fairbanks area, roads under this restriction include Chena Hot Springs Road, Murphy Dome Road, Sheep Creek Road, and Farmers Loop Road from Old Steese Highway to Fox.

The most severe restrictions, limiting loads to 50 percent of legal axle load with no overloads, affect the Denali Highway, Nabesna Road, McCarthy Road, and all state-maintained roads in Delta unless otherwise specified. In the Fairbanks area, more than two dozen roads face the 50 percent limit, including Bradway Road, Ester Dome Road, Harding Lake Road, and Salcha Drive.

Two major corridors received exemptions from seasonal restrictions. The Elliott Highway from Mile 0 to 72 and the Dalton Highway from Mile 0 to 414 will operate without weight limits until further notice.

The Northern Region boundaries extend from Mile 163 on the Parks Highway north and from Mile 118 on the Glenn Highway northeast, encompassing the Richardson Highway corridor from Valdez north to Fairbanks.

Daniel Adamczak, Northern Region Maintenance and Operations Engineer, issued the notice on May 20, 2026. The department stated that additional restrictions and modifications will be imposed as necessary, with weather and pavement conditions monitored closely. Adamczak can be reached at 907-451-2294 or [email protected].

The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement division of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will enforce the restrictions. An electronic copy of the weight restriction notices is available online at http://www.dot.state.ak.us/mscve/main.cfm?go=weightrestrictions under Public Notices: Weight Restrictions.

Weight restrictions are stated as a percentage of legal allowable weight and apply to maximum axle loading in accordance with 17 AAC 25.013(e).