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Thirty trucks carrying what they deem critical loads are
allowed to travel north on the Dalton Highway to Deadhorse, the
base of operations for several oilfields that produce more than
half a million barrels of crude oil daily, the officials said.
Additionally, another 30 vehicles can travel south from
Deadhorse, then work crews will assess the road’s stability and
the prospects for further travel, according to a transportation
department statement.
The 15-mile (24-km) stretch had been closed for one week while
dozens of emergency crews operating road equipment worked to
divert the flooding from the Sagavanirktok River and fortify
road sections.
"Everyone involved recognized the importance of the situation,
and they rose to the challenge," said Marc Luiken, commissioner
for the state’s Department of Transportation and Public
Utilities.
This stretch features ice accumulation plus the flooding, state
officials said. The road closure had not affected production
levels, officials from operating companies said.
State transportation officials said crews have been grappling
with winter conditions – sub-zero temperatures, blowing snow and
high winds – all week.
Once warmer temperatures arrive, melting snow and ice could
produce more flooding and instability, according to the
statement.
(Editing by Dan Whitcomb and Eric Walsh)
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