Thane Road experiences frequent closures due to avalanche risk, often triggered by heavy rain and rising temperatures. This article summarizes recent closure notices and provides resources for staying informed about Thane Road conditions.
Thane Road Closure History and Current Status:
January 26, 2024: Thane Road closed at 6 p.m. due to increased avalanche hazard from heavy rain and warming temperatures. The closure will remain until conditions improve or mitigation work is possible. Residents should anticipate extended closures. The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) emergency management site provides preparedness resources: https://juneau.org/emergency/personal-and-household-preparedness
January 25, 2024: Thane Road reopened briefly for 24 hours but is expected to close again over the weekend due to high avalanche risk. Residents were urged to prepare for the anticipated closure. Avalanche debris removal may be delayed until the hazard decreases naturally or through mitigation efforts.
January 24, 2024: Thane Road remained closed for avalanche hazard reduction and debris removal. Avalanche Hazard Reduction was planned for January 25th, weather permitting.
January 23, 2024: Crews worked to reopen Thane Road, aiming for completion that day. A subsequent closure was planned for 4 p.m., extending overnight, with a reassessment the following morning and the potential for a multi-day closure.
January 22, 2024: Thane Road closed at 8 p.m. due to high avalanche hazard, with reevaluation planned for the next morning. The hazard was expected to remain high for several days. Residents were advised to prepare for extended closures and consult the CBJ emergency management site: https://juneau.org/emergency/personal-and-household-preparedness
January 16, 2024: Planned Avalanche Hazard Reduction work between noon and 2 p.m. resulted in a road closure. Extended closures are possible if an avalanche reaches the roadway.
Staying Informed about Thane Road Conditions:
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) uses several methods to notify residents of potential road closures:
- On-site signage: Orange avalanche control signs on Thane Road provide early notification of potential closures, often a day or two in advance.
- GovDelivery alerts: Alerts are sent within 24 hours of a potential closure via text or email. Subscription is available at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/AKDOT/subscriber/new (Subscribe to “Thane Road notifications” under the “Highways” section).
While these methods provide advance warning, closures can be unpredictable due to changing weather and snow conditions. DOT&PF may cancel planned closures if conditions improve. For questions, contact Sam Dapcevich, DOT&PF Southcoast Region Public Information Officer at (907) 465-4503 or [email protected]. Staying informed is crucial for residents and travelers in the Thane area.
