Alaska DOT must adapt to winter-driving season with slimmer budget

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) recently launched an effort to better manage the state’s roads with few resources, as several areas in the state already have started to experience winter weather.

All of Alaska’s state agencies are now operating on reduced budgets, which have been  attributed to lower oil prices. Less money affects drivers the most because the department’s limited maintenance resources will be in high demand.

Every winter, ADOT&PF makes the most of its resources within its budget. Even though this winter will be the same, there will be a reduced response frequency, and response times will be longer if storms are more severe. ADOT&PF is responsible for 11 ferries and 249 airports serving 35 communities, 720 public facilities and 5,619 miles of highways across the state.

ADOT&PF provides its consumers with a systematic approach to how the organization clears roads of ice and snow; every road maintained by the state is categorized using five priority levels. The levels are chosen based on traffic speed and volume, as well as  connections to surrounding communities and other roads that are part of the local transportation network.

 Motorists are encouraged to drive safely and adjust to the weather and road conditions accordingly. Posted speed limits are meant for dry roads, not icy or snowy pavement.