Two vehicles idled in anticipation of the road reopening today at an expected 6 pm. Twenty or more residents live, visit cabins, or work there, said Casey Cook, Mat-Su Borough Emergency Manager.
Public Works Director Terry Dolan said the new route is not a solution to the erosion problem.
"We're making a bypass road farther to the right from the river, taking the native material and flattening it out and adding gravel appropriate for a road surface," Dolan said. "This is not a solution to the erosion problem. It's in a flood zone, so there isn't an easy solution to this. It's not a borough-maintained road."
Six roads were closed last night due to rivers and creeks reaching or surpassing flood levels and spilling onto roadways. Another road has been added to the list of trouble: Trapper Creek is now flowing over the top of Trappers Drive in Trapper Creek just north of Petersville Road, said Dolan at 5 pm. The water depth is approximately eight inches. Trappers Drive remains open to traffic at this time.
Dolan said these roads have been reopened:
• Deneki Drive in Willow
• N. Burrows Street in Willow
• Kenny Boulevard by possibly 6 pm tonight in Willow
The roads that remain closed are:
• Romano Ave in Talkeetna
• W. Johnson Drive in Willow
• Oilwell Road in Trapper Creek
Emergency Manager Cook said an assessment found that four homes were affected by water on River Aire Drive, which was less than expected.
The Emergency Operations Center staff returned to their regular work this morning after river and creek levels dropped a foot or more overnight, and water receded from roadways. The EOC staff is on standby for Thursday night and Friday due to the forecasted rain in yesterday's flooded area.
Bottom Photo: In the EOC, left to right: Emergency Services Director Bill Gamble, Water Rescue Chief Gary Klink, GIS Eric Goudey, Public Works Director Terry Dolan, Operations Section Chief Rich Boothby, and Emergency Manager Casey Cook. Photo by Patty Sullivan/MSB PIO.
For more information contact, PIO Patty Sullivan, 355-0103, psullivan@matsugov.us
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