Death on the Dalton Highway

I was so lucky to have two blue sky days and a dry road surface.


James Dalton Highway (Alaska)


The James Dalton Highway is a 414-mile gravel road. It heads straight north from the Livengood turnoff of the Elliott Highway, through arctic tundra to the farthest north reaches of Alaska. Alyeska built the 360-mile haul road, now known as the Dalton Highway, from the Yukon River to Prudhoe Bay, for $150 million to supply the oil facilities on the North Slope. The pipeline bridge across the 1,875 mile Yukon River is the only span across that river in Alaska.

But this is not a road for the faint of heart, or those with a brand-new vehicle! It is still the main supply route for the Prudhoe Bay oilfields, and you will be sharing the road with large tractor-trailers. Windshields and headlights are easy targets of flying rocks. Most rental companies will not allow you to drive their cars on the Dalton. Trucks speeding along the slippery gravel track kick up thick clouds of dust or mud, reducing visibility to absolute zero; potholes take a heavy toll on cars and services, gas, and repairs are practically nonexistent. Don't even consider driving the Dalton unless you have 4-wheel drive, a CB radio, extra fuel, food, tires, and a trunk filled with supplies.

Alaska State Troopers say two motorcycles driven by tourists from the United Kingdom slid and crashed on the Dalton Highway Sunday, killing one of the drivers and injuring his wife.
Fairbanks troopers received a report at 12:21 p.m. of a crash at Mile 58 of the highway, where 60-year-old Robert Munn and his passenger, 63-year-old Anne Munn, were riding a 2005 BMW motorcycle as part of a tour group headed north. A 2008 BMW motorcycle driven by 53-year-old Gary Tait was following the Munns on the highway.
Officials say Munn had started to slow down on the roadway, which was muddy and wet, and Tait was preparing to pass him on a straight stretch when Munn pulled right and started to fishtail. Munn’s motorcycle then crashed and threw him off it, forcing Tait to take evasive action and lay his motorcycle down to avoid hitting him.
Robert Munn was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel, while Anne Munn received minor injuries and was taken to Fairbanks by the tour group. Tait slid into the ditch, receiving little to no injury.
Troopers are continuing to investigate the crash, but say alcohol was not a factor and that everyone involved wore helmets and protective clothing.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone