FAIRBANKS -- Water levels on Dalton Highway are expected to crest later this week, and transportation officials say the closure will be in place until after that happens.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the Alaska Department of Transportation announced the initial closure Monday, saying it could last through at least Thursday. Northern Region spokeswoman Meadow Bailey said it's definitely possible it could last longer.
Dalton Highway provides the only route between the oil-producing North Slope and Interior Alaska. Bailey said there have been no reports of stranded trucks so far.
Gov. Walker declared the area a disaster when it flooded in March. Anticipating further flooding from the melting Sagavanirktok River, transportation officials hired contractors to keep traffic moving, help reopen the road, and divert water by building berms and installing culverts.