Fairbanks officials have issued a travel advisory for the city due to widespread freezing rain Thursday, which has also restricted flight operations at the local airport. According to Twitter messages on the city’s official account, Chena Ridge Road has been closed between Chena Hills and Chena Pump Road. “Road conditions are very icy. Travel is not advised,” officials wrote. In an email to Channel 2, Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Beth Ipsen says concerns about driving extend beyond the city.
"Widespread freezing rain has made Interior Alaska roads treacherous and travel is not advised," Ipsen wrote. "Some roads north of town are impassible, and crews are spreading sand in help improve traction."
Ipsen says AST dispatchers -- who serve the area outside Fairbanks and North Pole city limits -- have received steady reports of collisions in the area between 8 a.m. and noon Thursday. “The State Trooper dispatch center has taken reports of well over 20 motor vehicle crashes, to include at least five multiple vehicle crashes this morning (and still counting),” Ipsen wrote. “It doesn’t sound like any of them had any substantial injuries.”
Ipsen says all of the region’s troopers, including wildlife troopers, are on area roads and have reported issues. “It’s not just a section of the road; it’s widespread,” Ipsen said. A message posted on the Fairbanks International Airport’s Facebook page at about 11:30 a.m. indicated that both of the airport’s main runways were closed, with an email notification at 1 p.m. saying one runway had reopened. A ski strip runway for general aviation aircraft remains operational. “If you have travel plans for today, please contact your air carrier,” airport officials wrote. A message left with Alaska Airlines inquiring about canceled flights and the outlook for later in the day wasn’t immediately returned Thursday. A National Weather Service freezing rain advisory remains in effect until 4 p.m. Friday.