Parts of Denali Highway to remain closed until June 1st

The summer opening of the Denali Highway has been delayed until June 1^st according to a statement from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

According to DOT, the cause for the delay is more than seven feet of snow on the highway and a cool spring.

Crews began working to clear the Denali Highway last month, but several late storms on top of the already heavy snow load mean having the entire road open by the normal date of May 15^th will not be possible.

Parts of the highway are currently open. On the Cantwell side, the road is open to milepost 60, about ten miles east of Alpine Lodge. On the Paxson side, the road is open to about mile 20, near Tangle Lakes.