Coastal areas remain open for tundra travel

Petroleum News

The Department of Natural Resources' Division of Mining, Land and Water said in an April 19 North Slope off-road travel status report that both eastern and western coastal areas remain open.

The eastern area opened Jan. 11 and the western area Jan. 16, the division said, while both lower and upper foothills areas remain closed.

In heavily trafficked areas, road dust and vegetation have produced some snowpack deterioration, the division said, "Areas of high-density roads within the oil field may no longer be suitable for off-road travel," but generally travel is appropriate in most areas.

Snowpack remains deep in many areas, and while winter off-road travel remains open, the division said, "areas of exposed tundra should be avoided."

Coastal areas were sampled by the division April 18.

Ambient air temperatures have varied, and the Alpine ice road was temporarily closed when temperatures reached the mid-30s.

The division said that during its current trip to the Slope temperatures were in the teens with 10-15 mile per hour winds.

--Petroleum News