(Anchorage, Alaska)— The Seward Highway will remain closed throughout Tuesday evening, January 10, 2012.  This is the result of continuing extreme winter storms and potential avalanche conditions.  Current reports are of white-out conditions, blowing and drifting snow, and extremely difficult roadway conditions. DOT's avalanche risk reduction efforts had a positive result and induced a large slide at milepost 98.5 of the highway, just north of Bird Point. The slide impacted the highway and will require clearing. Further avalanche risk assessment and mitigation work will resume in the daylight hours tomorrow.

This closure will extend to at least noon tomorrow.

Please refer to 511.alaska.gov for further road condition information and updates. Further news releases will be provided when additional information is known.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) oversees 254 airports, 11 ferries serving 33 communities, 5,700 miles of highway and 660 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of ADOT&PF is to “Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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For more information, contact Rick Feller, DOT&PF public information officer, @ (907) 269-0772, rick.feller@alaska.gov, or (907) 632-9198 (cell).