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Committee asks staff to study Main Street weight limits amid reports of sharp gravel and flat tires
Summary
Assembly members voted to ask staff to investigate interim weight limits for Main Street after residents and members reported failing pavement and an unusual cluster of flat tires possibly linked to sharp gravel from recent road base work; staff said the municipality uses gravel from the state pit and will continue investigating.
The Skagway Public Works Committee voted on Jan. 29 to ask staff to explore interim weight restrictions for Main Street, after members and residents expressed concern that heavy traffic and recent base work are accelerating pavement failure.
Assembly member Hillis urged a 5-ton limit to preserve the road, saying the street is "failing quickly" and that the committee should "do what we can to preserve it." Hillis suggested a rule such as a 5-ton weight limit with a local-traffic exception to allow deliveries and resident access.
Residents and committee members also spent part of the meeting discussing a separate but related safety concern: an unusual number of flat tires attributed to sharp gravel on local roads. Public commenter Steve Burnham said he had suffered several flats since November and described the gravel particles as elongated and sharp; he cited engineering guidance that proper crushing and screening reduces flat and elongated particles.
Deputy Manager Kamika told the committee that Public Works uses the same gravel from the state gravel pit under an exchange agreement that includes annual street sweeping of State Street. "We actually use the same gravel from their gravel pit," Kamika said, noting the municipality could request further information or testing from the state. Committee members discussed sending a letter to the state and asking Public Works to pursue additional investigation or corrective action.
Assembly member Potter moved that staff look into weight restrictions for Main Street and bring the matter back to Public Works for further consideration; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee also directed staff to continue investigating the sharp-gravel reports and seek state input on material sampling.
Next steps: staff will investigate weight-limit options (including examples of what 5-ton vehicles are) and follow up with the state regarding gravel composition and any possible remedial measures before the next Public Works meeting.
