Transportation
RSSTransportation in Alaska is the network of highways, ferries, airports and transit systems connecting its communities. It tracks highway maintenance, closures and construction, Alaska Marine Highway System ferries, and local transportation planning and safety projects.
Inside Transportation
Places and organizations in this news
Numbers are stories in the last 30 days.
Have a story about Transportation? Send a tip
Week of May 18
Alaska DOT imposes four-tier weight limits on Northern Region roads
Alaska DOT limits truck weights on Northern Region roads starting May 21 due to spring thaw. • Restrictions range from 50 to 100 percent of legal axle load depending on road condition. • Major highways like Parks Highway stay at full weight, while rural roads drop to 50 percent. • Elliot and Dalton highways exempt from seasonal limits.
by Bill AlaskaNews5mo ago3 min readConstituent complaint drives classic car import law through Legislature
Alaska House passed a bill updating classic car import rules to match federal standards, allowing cars 25 years old or older to be registered instead of only pre-1981 models, after a constituent could not register a federally legal vehicle.
by Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Chiniak Highway hit with 50% weight limit, toughest in Kodiak area
Chiniak Highway gets Kodiak's toughest seasonal weight limit starting Monday, cutting trucks to half their legal load on a six-mile stretch.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readDeadhorse Airport fence project reaches 3,500 feet of installation
Crews installed 3,500 feet of fence at Deadhorse Airport. • Work continues on 24 Northern Region road and bridge projects. • Travelers should check 511 for ongoing construction delays.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min readWeek of May 11
Alaska Marijuana Board schedules special session on Anchorage ordinance
Alaska Marijuana Control Board scheduled a special meeting for June 3, 2026, to address AO360, an Anchorage ordinance, though the notice did not specify what issues the board will tackle.
by Alaska News6mo ago2 min readMcCarthy Road opens for season with difficult conditions, 35 mph advisory
McCarthy Road opened May 8 for the season with a 35 mph advisory due to soft shoulders, potholes, and rough conditions on the 60-mile gravel route to McCarthy and Kennicott.
by Alaska News6mo ago2 min readSenate panel advances Whittier land transfer bill without objection
Alaska Senate committee unanimously advanced a bill to transfer railroad land to Whittier for harbor expansion, housing, and business development.
by Alaska News6mo ago2 min read
Week of May 4
Palmer meeting set for Glenn Highway safety project feedback
DOT&PF meets June 3 in Palmer to gather public input on Glenn Highway safety improvements, with comments accepted through July 3.
by Alaska News6mo ago1 min readMore from Transportation
Kenai health office closed May 7 due to plumbing problems
Alaska Department of Health's Kenai office at 630 Barnacle Way closes May 7 for plumbing repairs, with remote workers staying home and essential staff reporting as usual.
by Alaska News6mo ago1 min readEngine Trouble Strands Columbia Ferry at Whittier Dock for Four Hours
Engine trouble stranded the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Columbia at Whittier for four hours on May 5, delaying hundreds of passengers and dozens of vehicles headed to Prince William Sound.
by Alaska News6mo ago2 min readHouse panel holds wildfire evacuation bill over cost, scope concerns
House panel held a wildfire evacuation bill over concerns that maintaining roads and airports in fire-prone areas could cost over $100 million statewide.
by Alaska News6mo ago3 min read
Alaska bill would require human operators in autonomous freight trucks
Alaska bill would require a human operator in commercial freight trucks over 10,000 pounds, effectively blocking fully driverless rigs from the state.
by Alaska News6mo ago3 min read
Week of Apr 27
Alaska House panel advances ban on heavy fuel oil for cruise ships
Alaska House panel advanced a ban on heavy fuel oil for large cruise ships in state waters, with an effective date of January 1, 2027.
by Alaska Newsadded 6mo ago5 min read
Week of Apr 20
Alaska Senate panel hears bill requiring human operators in commercial autonomous vehicles
Alaska Senate panel heard a bill requiring human operators in commercial trucks and buses with self-driving technology, citing harsh winter conditions as reason for caution.
by Alaska News6mo ago3 min read
Senate panel hears autonomous vehicle bill requiring human operators
Senate panel heard testimony Tuesday on a bill requiring human operators in commercial autonomous vehicles on Alaska roads, citing snow and ice as untested variables for self-driving systems.
by Alaska News6mo ago2 min read
Early construction work causes two-hour delays on Palmer commute
Construction crews on Palmer-area highways starting at 6 a.m. on April 23 caused two-hour commute delays, with no end date announced yet.
by Alaska News6mo ago2 min readComing up
Juneau Assembly Regular Meeting
Assembly Chambers, Juneau, AK, and Zoom webinar (ID 915 1542 4903, or call 1-253-215-8782)
Meeting
AMATS Policy Committee Vote on Transportation Planning Boundary
Meeting
AMATS Policy Committee Vote on 2027-2030 Transportation Funding
Meeting
AMATS Policy Committee Meeting
Meeting
Public Hearing on 2052 Metropolitan Transportation Plan
Hearing
About Transportation
Transportation in Alaska takes in the highways, ferries, railroad, airports, barges and transit systems that connect its communities. Major routes include the Parks, Glenn, Seward, Sterling, Richardson and Dalton highways.
The state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities drafts a statewide road plan, and regional planners in Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Mat-Su set which projects get federal money. Crashes and closures on highways recur, along with construction schedules, seasonal road closures and the cost of barge freight to Western, Arctic and Southeast Alaska.
Transportation connects closely to infrastructure, economic development and energy. Local questions include transit and paratransit service, bike and walking paths, roundabouts at dangerous intersections and docks and ports for cruise ships and barges.
More from Transportation
Week of Apr 13
Alaska considers ban on driverless commercial trucks amid safety debate
Alaska House committee heard testimony on HB 217, which would ban driverless commercial trucks and make Alaska the only state requiring human operators in all autonomous vehicles.
by Alaska Newsadded 7mo ago3 min read
