Safety concerns close Seward Highway water collection site

KENAI, Alaska – Alaska transportation officials say they are closing a water drainage site on the Seward Highway that’s become a popular water collection spout for motorists.

Kenai radio station KSRM reports the closure announced Wednesday was prompted by safety concerns about the site located at milepost 109 of the highway.

Alaska Department of Transportation spokeswoman Shannon McCarthy says the area is a high risk site for rockfalls.

The highway between Rabbit Creek and Girdwood also has been designated as a highway safety corridor because of the high rate crashes there.

The water collection site has increased in popularity in recent years. DOT officials say that has led to illegal parking and risky pedestrian crossings.

DOT officials say the drainage site if being modified to remove access to it.

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Information from: KSRM-AM, http://www.radiokenai.com