Parks Highway pilot cars end as diversions open near Nenana

Two temporary road diversions on the Parks Highway reconstruction project between Milepost 319 and 322 are expected to open to traffic the week of June 24, ending 24-hour pilot-car operations on that segment through the hills between Nenana and Fairbanks. The corridor carries traffic through Healy and is especially important while the National Park Service has confirmed that Denali Park Road remains closed at Mile 43 through at least summer 2026 due to the Pretty Rocks landslide.

Final grading of the diversions is expected this week as crews haul material from Cut 2 excavation to embankments and diversion alignments. Paving of the diversions is expected to be completed on the 17th, with striping the following week and traffic anticipated to be shifted at that time.

Grubbing material from Phase 1 continues to be hauled and spread on slopes along Diversion 1 as a topsoil medium for seeding and stabilization.

The diversions will allow two-lane traffic while crews continue excavating Cut 2, a major realignment segment.

On the adjacent MP 322-325 reconstruction segment, clearing has been completed and one excavation cut is currently being grubbed, with material stockpiled at the edge of the cut to construct a haul route for excavation and removal of grubbing material. 24-hour flaggers and pilot car operations remain in place on that segment.

The Parks Highway 319-325 reconstruction is a multi-year project to bring a substandard segment up to current engineering standards. Planned improvements include new and upgraded passing lanes, truck lanes, and realignments to improve safety for Interior Alaska travelers. Construction began in 2025 and is expected to last several years.