Daee advisory board approves letter asking Assembly to press state on Dyer Road safety and maintenance

The Daee Community Advisory Board voted May 7 to approve a letter asking the Skagway Assembly to urge public comment to the state Department of Transportation and to voice the board’s concerns about the condition of Dyer Road.

Board members said they have heard repeatedly from residents about potholes, drainage problems and sections that slow emergency responders; at the meeting members said those issues can increase response times for ambulance, fire and police. The board also discussed a referenced STIP planning process and said community comments can influence whether the road receives a larger, structural project later in the year.

The assembled draft letter describes Dyer Road as a “year‑round primary corridor” serving roughly 25–40 residences beyond the paved portion and lists hazards including potholes, drainage failures and tight roadway geometry that can impede two‑way traffic and emergency access. Board members debated language about seasonal traffic and ultimately kept a reference to summer vehicle volume while emphasizing winter conditions and emergency response implications.

Board members discussed recent correspondence forwarded by Anne Marie Heskamp that raised concerns about siting permanent firefighting equipment near a watershed, and they said they will include the correspondence in the packet for the next meeting. The board also noted it has been in contact with Sean McKnight, the DOT foreman, and expects state staff or a contractor to attend a June meeting to describe emerging project plans. Members reported that preliminary work being discussed through the STIP appears to include beyond‑grading work — larger structural improvements targeted for late summer or fall — but said details and schedules remain to be confirmed by DOT staff.

At the meeting, the board voted to approve the letter and forwarded it to the clerk for transmission to the Assembly. The board also asked the assembly to encourage Skagway residents to submit public comments directly to the state DOT’s project process to strengthen the request for funding.

The board said it will revisit the item after DOT staff present project details at a future meeting; the board asked the clerk and liaison to follow up to identify any outstanding legal or administrative steps needed to place the matter on the Assembly agenda.