Haines Highway paving brings 20-minute waits at mileposts 20-25 through Sunday

Drivers on the Haines Highway are facing waits of up to 20 minutes as paving crews take one lane at a time between milepost 20 and milepost 25. The work began Thursday, Sept. 10, and continues through Sunday, Sept. 13.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities says work runs 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Flaggers and pilot cars are controlling traffic during those hours.

• The northbound lane was closed from mile 22.5 to mile 25 on Thursday.

• The southbound lane closes along that same stretch Friday.

• The southbound lane closes from mile 21 to mile 22.5 on Saturday.

• The northbound lane closes there Sunday.

Driveway access from a closed lane is restricted until the mat, the fresh layer of asphalt, cools enough to carry traffic. Access to the mile 20.5 boat launch is not restricted on Saturday or Sunday.

Klukwan access is limited Saturday. Traffic will use the South Entrance in the morning and the Klukwan School entrance in the afternoon. The Middle Road entrance is closed, and a flagger will be stationed at the Klukwan access point.

This is the final segment of a corridor rebuild that began in 2018. DOT&PF project records describe the work as bringing the last portion of the Haines Highway up to a 55 mph design standard by realigning, widening and straightening the roadway.

The project's 2016 final revised environmental assessment puts the right-of-way acquisition at about 26 acres, 7 of them Native allotments. It says the Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan is the agent for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, responsible for representing the Native allottees, and has contacted them in consultations that are continuing.

The schedule depends on weather. DOT&PF says the rest of the paving schedule goes out Saturday. DOT&PF engineering manager Greg Lockwood takes questions at 907-465-2393.