Collision and fuel spill close down the Klondike Highway

The only road out of Skagway is closed. Avalanche risk and a tractor trailer collision near milepost 11 on the Klondike Highway shut down the road on Saturday. No injuries were reported from the accident, but the Department of Transportation said up to 500 gallons of fuel spilled.

DOT spokesperson Sam Dapcevich said work crews will first address the avalanche risk.

“They are conducting avalanche mitigation on three known paths following a cleanup. They’re expecting a rescue and hazmat team will be able to access the accident site for an assessment, and they’re hoping to offload fuel from the tanker,” he said.

The highway will remain closed until the fuel spill is cleaned up, vehicles are removed, and roads are cleared. DOT anticipates the roads will re-open Tuesday afternoon. The Skagway Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.