Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

Construction on the Chilkoot Lake road corridor has begun and the road is closed to vehicles and pedestrians seven days a week with some exceptions for at least the next three weeks.

Authorized personnel such as Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff are allowed to use the road. Hunters are allowed access before 7 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. from Sept. 15 through Nov. 15.

Southeast Roadbuilders project superintendent Travis Wolff said people were moving barricades and driving in the project area last week while workers were clearing brush.

“We’re installing culverts and adding rock to the road and we’re going to repave it next spring,” Wolff said. “I’m hoping this work we’re doing this year only takes about three weeks. Then we will open the road again until next spring.”

Crews will begin repaving the road in May, which Wolff said should only take a few days.

The improvements should be finished by May 31, 2021 and include bear-viewing platforms, an 8-foot gravel walkway along the river and larger pullout areas for vehicles.

The project is funded through a United States Fish and Wildlife Service grant.

“This Federal Aid is part of the Wildlife Restoration Program made possible by the Pittman-Robertson Act and is funded by taxes on the purchase of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment,” according to a description of the project.

Wolff is also working on the Third Avenue, Mud Bay and Small Tracts Water Line Project. He said paving should be completed by the end of next week, weather permitting.

“I’d like to thank everybody who lived out there for being patient with us,” Wolff said. “We didn’t have to chase anybody out. It was a hectic job but the citizens were great.”