NPS begins work to improve Dyea Flats road through the park

Date: October 6, 2015
Contact: Chief Ranger Tim Steidel, 907-983-9225

Beginning October 6, 2015 National Park Service (NPS) work crews will begin the first phase of a Federal Highways funded project to improve the NPS owned portion of the Dyea Flats road and the public access between the Slide Cemetery and the Lost Lake Trailhead. The project goal is to improve road surface and drainage. Improvements will include elevating the road surface, increasing culvert drainage and adding widened turn-outs for safe passing lanes.

Phase I of the project will involve vegetation clearing within the project boundaries. Work crews will initially begin tree removal north of the Slide Cemetery and the road will remain closed between the Cemetery parking lot and the Lost Lake Trailhead for the duration of the project on that section. Tree felling activities will be proceeding daily between 8am and 4:30pm and the road will remain closed to motorized traffic day and night until project completion for that section of road. Every effort is being made to minimize the number of trees removed for this project.

Beginning October 19, 2015 NPS crews will begin tree removal work along the Dyea Flats road between the State Maintained Dyea Road and the park's southern boundary including the entrance to the Slide Cemetery. Park motorists can expect up to 30 minute delays between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm daily, though most delays should be shorter in duration. The road will remain open during the evenings and overnight. Motorists and pedestrians are reminded to heed posted speed limits and active work signage and remain in vehicles or behind barriers until work crews approach and remove the barricades. Phase I completion is anticipated for October 30, 2015.

While some of the trees removed for the project will be reused by the park for maintenance activities and visitors, much of the spruce will be staged for public collection of firewood at the west side turn-out at the end of state maintenance for Dyea Road just south of the West Creek Bridge. Spruce logs cut to 16 feet in length will be staged on two dates for first-come, first-served collection by the general public –October 16 and 30.

Contractors will begin Phase II of the Federal Highways Project on April 22, 2016. Beginning May 1 work will occur only at night between the hours of 8pm and 8am daily, excluding holiday weekends. By operating only at night delays and impacts to park visitors and local residents will be minimized. Most delays will be temporary and notices for extended closures (within a night shift) will be distributed well in advance of any closures. Another media release will be issued before Phase II construction.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this project. Klondike Gold Rush strives to maintain exceptional visitor and public services. Pease feel free to contact the park with any comments or questions regarding this project.