On Monday, April 15 the Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell issued an emergency order to extend some Alaskans’ timeline to keep their studded tires on, due to extended winter conditions in much of the state.
The statutory deadline to remove studded tires from vehicles operating on Alaskan roads has been extended to May 15 for drivers on roads north of the 60° North Latitude line. This includes Cordova, Seward, and the Prince William Sound region.
“Many parts of Alaska are experiencing prolonged winter weather after a near record-setting snow season that has extended icy road conditions well into April,” said Cockrell. “This 15-day extension for the studded tire removal deadline will provide additional time to switch to regular tires without compromising safety.”
The 60° North Latitude line crosses Alaska from east to west just south of Prince William Sound. Those operating cars below that line — such as those in Kodiak and Southwest Alaska — still had the established deadline of April 15.
The Alaska Department of Public Safety noted that some municipalities and boroughs may have their own regulations around studded tires in their jurisdictions.
