JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- With no appreciable snow forecast for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, multiple agencies are shifting focus from winter maintenance to preparing roads for safer summer driving conditions.
Every year, the community eagerly anticipates the transition from winter to summer, when they can start riding motorcycles. But there are some important tasks that need to be completed first.
The 773d Civil Engineer Squadron snow barn and 773d CES service contracts, and Aurora Housing play a crucial role in the changeover from winter to summer road conditions at JBER. Their responsibility involves the meticulous removal of approximately 3,600 tons of street sand spread across the installation during the winter months to enhance traction on icy surfaces.
The squadron deploys specialized machines such as road graders, sweepers, plow truckers, blowers, loaders, trackless, skid steers and sanders to clear roads, sidewalks and intersections, and water trucks to help suppress dust during cleaning operations.
Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Tucker, 773d CES Pavements and Equipment section chief, said his team drastically reduces to 20 percent of their winter manpower footprint for the summer months, with a roughly 10-member crew who maintain the roads.
While cleaning, the 773d CES shift supervisors are constantly monitoring road conditions and assessing any damage such as potholes and road repairs resulted from the winter weather.
The 673d Mission Support Group commander has the authority to determine to change road conditions. This decision is made after receiving notification or initiating contact from key agencies, including the 673d Security Forces Squadron Base Defense Operations Center, 673d Air Base Wing Command Post, 3rd Operation Support Squadron weather flight, 673d Civil Engineer Group commander, and the 673d ABW Safety Office. The primary consideration is whether the roads are safe for motorcyclists to drive.
Occupational Safety Manager Ralph McHenry of the Wing Safety Office said when assessing, they ensure the road is clear of ice and snow and, to the greatest extent possible, sand is cleared from the roadways.
The updates from all agencies include any snow, ice, debris, reduced visibility, or other conditions that could affect roadways or cause hazardous conditions across JBER before changing road conditions from amber to green.
“We consider the amount of gravel or debris remaining on the roadway and parking lots as it can greatly reduce traction in curves and at intersections, resulting in increased accident rates,” Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jason Parrish, 673d MSG’s senior enlisted advisor. “Furthermore, we consider daytime and overnight low temperatures as water from melting snow can pool on the roadways and freeze overnight, causing a hazard. Once we have determined roads are consistently clear and dry, without significant potential hazards, the MSG commander will upgrade from amber to green.”
Last year, JBER received its last significant snowfall on April 4, which changed the road condition from amber to red, but it eventually went to green for the season on April 30.
“Based on the unusual weather patterns this past winter and an overall lack of snow, we anticipate a transition earlier than last year,” Parrish said. “Our team continues to evaluate road status to ensure the prudent application of road conditions in balancing mission accomplishment, individual privileges, and safety.”
This anticipation prepares the community for potential changes and highlights the ongoing evaluation of road status.
Safety remains a top priority throughout this process. Drivers are encouraged to stay alert and maintain safe speeds around work zones as crews continue their efforts to make JBER roads summer-ready.
“Like many in our community, I’m also looking forward to Alaska’s spring and summer,” said Air Force Col. Dustin Hansen, 673d MSG commander. “Our roads serve as gateways to epic adventures and vast beauty, especially for bicyclists and motorcyclists. We will remain vigilant in assessing the road conditions to ensure our warfighters and families remain safe so they can enjoy all that Alaska has to offer and return, ready to project forces, protect the homeland and empower the joint base.”