Back Loop Bridge reopens two weeks after closing due to damage from record flood

Intermittent lane closures to continue while additional paving and riverbank work are completed, DOT says

A motorist crosses the newly opened Back Loop Bridge on Tuesday afternoon. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

The Back Loop Bridge reopened to traffic on Tuesday, two weeks after it was closed due to a record glacial outburst flood that damaged an abutment wall, a section of paved surface and the riverbank, according to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

"All necessary bridge work to open is complete, and engineers have confirmed the bridge is safe for public passage," DOT announced in a post on its Facebook page shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday.

However, work remains to be completed on the road surface as well as the riverbank, the announcement notes.

"A gravel approach will be in place for a short period," the DOT post states. "Asphalt paving crews are expected as early as next week, weather permitting. Intermittent lane closures and crews on-site are possible."

"Please drive slowly on the gravel, heed signs, and give crews room to work when you see them out there."

The bridge was closed during the evening of Aug. 12, roughly 12 hours before the Mendenhall River peaked at a record level of 16.65 feet due to the outburst flood from Suicide Basin. A prior DOT notice states the flood "scoured out an area about 16 ft deep x 50 ft long x ~120 ft wide — roughly 3,555 cubic yards, or about 300 dump-truck loads of material."

DOT officials have emphasized the main structure of the bridge remains stable.

Repairs involved using several million pounds of rocks to restore banks and road material, along with restoring power poles and installing a temporary fiber optic line to restore internet service to the vicinity.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.