Bears cross the street from the Chilkoot weir to the woods. (Abbey Collins)
A construction project along the roadway corridor to Chilkoot Lake begins Tuesday. With some exceptions, the road will remain closed until April .
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is overseeing a project to improve access to Chilkoot Lake by paving the road, adding walkways and installing bear viewing platforms.
The project is funded through a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In a video posted Friday to DNR’s website, project manager Danielle Ryder said the current state of the roadway makes access difficult
“The existing roadway corridor currently has limited parking and drainage issues. Also it has a failing driveway surface with multiple potholes present,” Ryder said.
Starting September 1st, Southeast Roadbuilders will begin removing signs and structures along the corridor that runs from Lutak Road to the parking lot at Chilkoot Lake. Tree removal, pavement grinding, excavation, drainage pipe installation, filling and grading will continue through October until the project shuts down for the winter.
Work will resume in April as contractors begin paving, installing the bear viewing platforms and revegetating the area. Ryder said DNR plans to complete the project by May 2021, but access to the area will be limited until then.
“Equipment and material will be staged in existing pullouts and in the parking lot area at the end of the project. During construction there will be limited access to the project site, including full closures,” Ryder said.
According to Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources the road will remain closed from September to April. Local residents, authorized personnel and hunters may access the road before 7 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. from September 15th to November 15th.
