Dalton Hwy closed at MM 230–231 after landslide blocks both lanes

A landslide closed the Dalton Highway in both directions between mile markers 230 and 231 Monday, cutting off the only overland route to the North Slope oil fields near Deadhorse and Prudhoe Bay.

Alaska 511 logged the closure at 8:07 a.m. Alaska time. Crews and equipment are en route to begin debris removal, according to the event record. The planned end time runs to approximately 8:08 p.m. Alaska time Monday, though that window may shift depending on debris volume.

The Dalton Highway is the primary ground corridor for commercial trucking, oilfield supply runs, and workers rotating in and out of North Slope camps. A full closure between MM 230 and 231 strands or reroutes long-haul trucks carrying equipment, fuel, and food to Prudhoe Bay.

History of Closures

The highway has a documented history of weather-driven closures. University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers noted that 2015 Sagavanirktok River flooding shut the road for several days and significantly altered the surrounding land surface. In 2025, Alaska DOT&PF responded to a major breach at milepost 315 that washed out roughly 80 feet of roadway up to 30 feet deep. Alaska DOT&PF has described the highway as Alaska's lifeline, emphasizing its role in keeping essential workers supplied.

Travelers should check Alaska 511 event 34907 for real-time updates before attempting to use this stretch of highway.