Dalton Highway to see closures while Dietrich Quarry conducts blast operations

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Part of the Dalton Highway will see intermittent closures as Dietrich Quarry conducts blast operations near milepost 222.

Between June 8 and June 17, the Dalton Highway will see a small section closed for blast operations being conduct at the nearby Dietrich Quarry. The quarry operates about 33 miles north of Wiseman and is close enough in proximity to the highway that closures have been scheduled for a series of blast operations.

Those blasts will be conducted at 6 p.m. with the road being closed 5:40 p.m. and reopening 20 minutes after the all clear signal is given. The closure points will be place 1500 feet north and south of the quarry.

“The main concerns to the public while they’re traveling the road is, there is a chance of dust being generated by the blasting event,” said Rob Sherwood, a geologist with the Bureau of Land Management involved with the operation. “There’s also a chance that there’s going to be rock and rock material blown onto the road, so we want a chance to clear that off before motorists can pass through and there’s a possibility of unexploded ordinance. so, one of the reasons that they’re holding traffic for up to 40 minutes is to make sure all of the ordinance is exploded before motorists drive by Dietrich quarry.”

One series of blasts has already taken place with two more expected in the coming days. However a fourth additional blast could be required. The next two blasts will occur on either June 10 or 11 and June 13 or 14. If an additional blast operation is required, it will take place on either June 16 or 17.

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