McCarthy Road & Denali Highway Closed To DOT Service Until Spring

THE PARTY'S OVER 

Denali Highway in summer is lonely enough. (Photo, Country Journal ) 

McCarthy Road & Denali Highway 

DOT&PF Ends Seasonal Road Maintenance Starting October 1st, 2021 

Winter Travel On These Roads Is Dangerous  

The Department of Transportation is ending road maintenance on October 1st on the Denali Highway and McCarthy Road. Here's their September Press Release: 

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) will end seasonal maintenance, including snow and ice removal, on the Denali Highway, Taylor Highway, McCarthy Road, and the Eureka/Rampart Road in October.

DOT&PF does not maintain these highways through the winter. The department encourages drivers to remember that travel on a non-maintained highway during the winter is extremely risky.

Denali Highway: Runs from Paxson on the Richardson Highway to Cantwell on the Parks Highway. Maintenance will end Oct. 1. Crews will begin opening the 135-mile Denali Highway in late April. Eight personnel will work about three weeks to open the road from both sides; the road is usually open by May 15.

McCarthy Road: Runs from the Edgerton Highway in Chitina to McCarthy. Regular maintenance will end Oct. 1 and will resume in the spring. The McCarthy Road may be plowed periodically through the winter so crews can clear the McCarthy runway.
 

Drivers can check road conditions at 511.alaska.gov or by dialing 5-1-1 from any phone in Alaska.