State imposes spring weight limits on Central Alaska roads April 20

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will restrict weight limits on state roads across Central Alaska starting April 20 at 8:00 a.m. to protect pavement during spring thaw.

Most paved roads in Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, and the Kenai Peninsula will be limited to 75 percent of legal axle weight. Gravel roads in those areas will drop to 50 percent. The restrictions cover the region from Homer and Seward north to Mile 118 on the Glenn Highway and Mile 163 on the Parks Highway, plus the Dillingham and Bethel road systems.

Major highways including the Glenn, Parks, Seward, and Sterling will remain at 100 percent of legal axle weight with no overloads allowed. Key Anchorage routes like Minnesota Drive, Muldoon Road, and the Seward Highway from Anchorage to Girdwood also stay at full weight.

Some roads face stricter limits. The Sterling Highway between Mile 44 and Mile 55 drops to 85 percent. Six roads in Wasilla and Anchorage, including Big Lake Road and Old Seward Spur, will be restricted to 50 percent.

The department will post updates and modifications on its Measurement Standards and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement webpage at dot.alaska.gov. Weight restrictions on 511 or other sites are for information only. The official public notice supersedes conflicting information.

Questions about permits can be directed to the Customer Service Center at 1-800-478-7636 within Alaska or 1-907-365-1200 from out of state. Questions about which roads are affected can be directed to 907-269-0757.

Burrell Nickeson, Central Region Maintenance and Operations manager, issued the notice. He can be reached at 907-269-0757 or [email protected].