Advocates for Safe Alaska Highways

The long-awaited road analysis examining the route used by trucks carrying gold ore from Tetlin to Fairbanks has been released by Kinney Engineering, the research firm contracted by the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The study reports on the 247 miles of the Alaska, Richardson and Steese Highways between the mine and the Kinross gold mill.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly last week authorized the state to proceed with replacing the bridges on the Richardson Highway that cross over the Chena Spillway. But they added a recommendation that the new design include a better plan for pedestrians and bicyclists.

School bus stops on the ore-hauling route from the Manh Choh gold mine in Tetlin to the Fort Knox mill north of Fairbanks were discussed yesterday by the Technical Advisory Committee.

Kinney Engineering, the contractor hired by Alaska DOT, estimates that running ore trucks on the Alaska, Richardson and Steese Highways will cause millions of dollars in pavement damage annually.