Denali National Park Road Lottery Thread (Lakes, Nenana: law, shop, assess)

[JavaPhil]

One of the main reasons they limit the traffic on the park road is the cost of road repairs. Between frost heaves and subsidence, the road gets about $100,000 in road repairs every year. Limiting traffic means that the roads will last that much longer. A mile of road resurfacing on roads in remote Alaska, 2-lanes, costs almost a million, labor, vehicles, materials, and maintaining the crews in a reasonable distance from the job site.

[Frostnip]

Plus, it'd be such a pain the ass to patrol that road.

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by JavaPhil

One of the main reasons they limit the traffic on the park road is the cost of road repairs. Between frost heaves and subsidence, the road gets about $100,000 in road repairs every year. Limiting traffic means that the roads will last that much longer. A mile of road resurfacing on roads in remote Alaska, 2-lanes, costs almost a million, labor, vehicles, materials, and maintaining the crews in a reasonable distance from the job site.

Well Obama is looking for "Shovel Ready Jobs", this would be perfect instead of standing in front of perfectly good bridges claiming they are in disrepair... If they were that bad, they should be shut down! Not doing so would be a danger to the public, so making such statements is irresponsible to scare people for no reason.

Extending the park road and making it one way would remove the head on traffic that currently exists on the narrow sections. Since it is a dirt road, Maintence is done by a couple of road graders. Not that big of a deal! The millions of dollars per mile figure includes paving, this won't be.

[Moose Whisperer]

I think opening the road up to limited POV access wouldn't be all that bad. I could see some type of expanded permit/annual pass system:

1. Take and pass a test covering road use and ecological considerations. A real test, not like the current farce of a test to get a Driver's license.
2. Pay a permit fee structured similar to existing AK hunting and fishing tags. Maybe something like $50 for AK residents and $200 - $300 for out of state.

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by Moose Whisperer

I think opening the road up to limited POV access wouldn't be all that bad. I could see some type of expanded permit/annual pass system:

1. Take and pass a test covering road use and ecological considerations. A real test, not like the current farce of a test to get a Driver's license.
2. Pay a permit fee structured similar to existing AK hunting and fishing tags. Maybe something like $50 for AK residents and $200 - $300 for out of state.

I like this idea!...but $25 for AK residents per vehicle and like $150-200 for out of state...don't wanna wack outta staters too bad as they are still gonna spend money in and around the area too!

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

I like this idea!...but $25 for AK residents per vehicle and like $150-200 for out of state...don't wanna wack outta staters too bad as they are still gonna spend money in and around the area too!

If they extended the road out and around and could make it a one way road, it could handle double the traffic with no real impact instead of two way traffic and charge a flat $50 dollar fee for the first 400 cars every day all summer. The park would make extra money if the Feds let them keep it and would be a lot closer to being self sustaining!

[NikkiV]

Originally Posted by starlite9

If they extended the road out and around and could make it a one way road, it could handle double the traffic with no real impact instead of two way traffic and charge a flat $50 dollar fee for the first 400 cars every day all summer. The park would make extra money if the Feds let them keep it and would be a lot closer to being self sustaining!

COuld we maybe lower that number to 200? 400 cars per day are allowed during the road lottery, and trust me, it's a migraine to deal with.

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by NikkiV

COuld we maybe lower that number to 200? 400 cars per day are allowed during the road lottery, and trust me, it's a migraine to deal with.

Well when you are having to meet with that number of cars head on, it is a pain! But if you didn't run into normal traffic head on, it would be a piece of cake. When you have 400 going in and then 400 going out, that is a lot of congestion! 400 all going one way once, would be a piece of cake.

The quality of the bus tours would also be enhanced since you are seeing 100% new stuff instead of a repeat on the way out!

[Moose Whisperer]

Here's a chance to put some of these suggestions to the test:

Alaskans have until the end of October to comment on the Draft Denali Park Road Vehicle Management Plan. The plan alternatives will affect access to the park for the next 20 years

Alaskans need to comment on Denali road plan: Compass | Alaska news at adn.com

[IL2AK4job]

Why not make it a toll road? A straigh 25¢ per axel or an even $1 per car?