Crews work to repair a sink hole on the Glenn Highway SB Mirror Lake off ramp. (ADOTP&F photo)
On Nov. 30, at 8:29 a.m., an earthquake measuring 7.0 struck the state of Alaska between Palmer and Anchorage. The event triggered a tsunami warning for coastal areas near Cook Inlet and the Southern Kenai Peninsula, which was later cancelled. While no significant injuries or deaths have been reported, there has been extensive road damage in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley.
On Dec. 1, Gov. Walker issued a disaster declaration and President Trump issued a Federal Emergency Declaration to assist local, state and non-government response and recovery efforts.
"While damage to infrastructure has caused significant problems, we are thankful there has been no fatalities or major injuries," said Mike Sutton, director of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. "The many organizations that were involved in this response effort should be proud. However, as the response effort begins to subside, we will need to prepare for the long-term recovery effort."
The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities set its emergency response plan into action. That plan includes:
- Moving heavy equipment to safe ground, including firefighting and construction equipment;
- opening or closing airports and ferry terminals to facilitate Coast Guard or military support as needed; and
- notifying Alaska Marine Highway System vessels and securing safe passage.
The department then works to secure the state's infrastructure system by assessing the safety of roads, airports and bridges; opening or closing transportation routes, depending on need; and communicating with the public.
ADOTP&F sent teams to inspect 250 state and local bridges in the affected area. Alaska's bridges have been prepared to withstand these events. Engineers' main goal is to prevent collapse. New bridges are designed by highly-trained engineers and experts in seismic design. Old bridges are retrofitted to improve performance.
By Dec. 1, ADOTP&F identified 50 potential damage sites. However, according to the Anchorage Daily News, as of Dec. 2 more than 1,400 aftershocks — 593 of which were magnitude 2.0 or greater; 17 were at least 4.0; and five were at least 5.0 — were recorded. Those aftershocks have the potential to further increase damage.
Glenn Highway
The Glenn Highway sustained severe damage at Eagle River. According to ADOTP&F, the most serious infrastructure damage includes:
• Slope failure and significant cracking to the Glenn SB Mirror Lake on ramp;
• a sink hole on the Glenn SB Mirror Lake off ramp;
• longitudinal shoulder cracks on Glenn Hwy. at mile post 58.7;
• slope failure at the Glenn/Parks Highway Interchange;
• abutment damage at NB Eagle River Bridge; and
• a dip in the approach on SB Eagle River Bridge.
In the coming weeks, crews will be making repairs to slopes, restoring approaches and abutments, clearing rocks and paving.
Seward Highway
Along the Seward Highway, ADOTP&F reports:
- Rock slides at mile post 109 and at McHugh Creek;
- rippled asphalt from Tudor to 36th;
- cracking at 6 Mile Bridge; and
- cracks of varying degrees to the Rabbit Creek, Dimond, Tudor and O'Malley bridges.
Crews and equipment are in place to remove debris and monitor the area.
Parks Highway
While the Parks Highway is passable, the Parks/Glenn interchange sustained major damage due to slope failure. Crews are working to restore the approach.
Kenai Spur Highway
Settlement occurred along the Kenai Spur Highway at mile posts 19, 35.1 and 35.7. Crews have completed grinding and grading process, but paving will be complete in the spring when asphalt plants are operational again, according to a press release from ADOTP&F.
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