Anchorage Road Crews Work to Clear Snow in Preparation for Incoming Storm

Saturday in Anchorage, nearby motorists stopped to help a man when his truck bed topper fell off while navigating the grooves and ruts on C Street due to a buildup of snow and ice (Emily Mesner / ADN). Clearing paths across Anchorage on Saturday, city road maintenance crews worked to clear snow off roads after a recent winter storm and prepared for an impending one. The storm dumped over 2 and a half feet of snow in some parts of Anchorage, requiring crews to focus on clearing residential roads and shifting efforts to state-maintained roads that posed challenges. The recent snow was dense and reportedly acted like concrete due to the heavy moisture content, leading to the formation of deep ruts (Alaska Department of Transportation – photo by Emily Mesner / ADN). The storm first heavily impacted roads like Glenn and Seward highways, followed by major city roads, leading to bumpy and uneven surfaces in various areas of town. City and state efforts aimed at road clearance have been met with the challenges of another incoming storm likely to bring more snow. Efforts to clear streets and assist vehicles maneuvering on rough and icy surfaces are ongoing. To facilitate clearing of downtown roads, EasyPark was offering free parking in all its lots and garages through Saturday night as part of a “snow emergency” declaration by Mayor Dave Bronson to keep vehicles off roadways. The storm has left some areas of Anchorage and Southcentral reporting up to 3 feet of snowfall, with new forecasts predicting possible widespread power outages. And the uncertainty remains, as predicted snowfall amounts for the next storm are still under scrutiny. Throughout the week, the city canceled buses and reported power outages, but crews are focused on clearing power lines and restoring service to the remaining affected areas. Stay tuned for further advisories and updates.

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