Our district has been battling the elements this week with the rain and subsequent flooding in Girdwood. As you may have heard, Mayor Bronson and I were able to meet with State Department of Transportation team members and Girdwood Manager Kyle Kelley, to inspect the flood damage and the necessary repairs to the multiple flooding areas. What makes me proud to be an Alaskan is seeing the dedication, work ethic, and close communication with our community and leaders, especially in our district. I see progress being made, and ingenuity and team effort being utilized to get these areas restored as quickly as possible.
The Ruane Road washout is very concerning. The washout itself involved about thirty feet of roadway. Teams from ENSTAR have checked an exposed, hanging gas line which feeds the AWWU water treatment plant, and additional ENSTAR crews have been dispatched. Running alongside the gas line was an 18-inch pipe carrying raw sewage to the water treatment facility. This sewage pipe was exposed and unsupported for about the entire thirty feet across the washout, and there were signs that it was sagging in the center. Current plans include building a cradle to support and protect the pipe as the culvert system and roadway are rebuilt around it. As this area is also a fish creek, the sewage pipe repair will be a high priority to prevent significant damage to the creek and surrounding areas.
Thanks to the Girdwood Fire and Rescue Crew, their fortification of the lower Iditarod trail made sure to provide emergency egress for the AWWU plant operators and their heavy equipment stranded on the other side.
Echo Ridge Road was also significantly damaged, and repairs were underway during our visit. Girdwood residents have been advised by Girdwood Fire and Rescue to use caution and limit trips on the road until road crews can make temporary repairs, and some areas of the road appeared impassible at the time.
Loveland Road residents have also been impacted, and work is underway in their area. AWWU is also performing infrastructure repairs as necessary, especially around the rail line. Work on all of these damaged sites will be ongoing, and everyone's patience during this hectic time is appreciated.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any concerns. My door is always open, and my cell phone number is 907-351-8277.
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