Alaskans will have a little more time before they need to swap out their studded tires this spring, thanks to an extension announced Wednesday by the state Department of Public Safety.
Commissioner James Cockrell issued an emergency order that extends the deadline to remove studded tires from Alaska vehicles due to “extended winter weather conditions” across the state, according to a statement from the public safety department.
The deadline has been extended by 15 days. Alaskans in Southeast Alaska, the Aleutian Chain, Southwest Alaska, the southern Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak — all areas south of 60 degrees north latitude — can drive on studded tires until May 1.
Drivers in all areas north of that latitude line, including other parts of Southcentral Alaska and all portions of the Sterling Highway, will have until May 15 to remove studded tires from vehicles. Some cities or boroughs may have their own regulations regarding studded tires, the public safety department noted.
The Municipality of Anchorage on Wednesday extended its deadline to match the state’s order, with studded tires illegal to use in the municipality starting May 15 this year. The city cited the state’s emergency order and “Anchorage’s prolonged winter weather conditions” as reasons for the extension.
Cockrell said in the Department of Public Safety statement that prolonged winter weather in much of the state has extended icy conditions “well into April.”
“This 15-day extension for the studded tire removal deadline will provide additional time to switch to regular tires without compromising safety,” he said.
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Posted by Alaska State Troopers on Wednesday, April 5, 2023