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06/08/2022 Work On Lowell Point Road Landslide Concludes Friday June 10, 2022

CITY OF SEWARD
PRESS RELEASE #7

For Immediate Release                                                                                   

June 8, 2022 at 0900

Work On Lowell Point Road Landslide Will Conclude On Friday

Seward, Alaska – After a solid month of working to remove debris from the May 7th landslide, the remediation work is expected to come to an end on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. Crews have been working diligently to loosen and remove unstable rocks, boulders, and fallen trees in order to stabilize the slide area. They have done all they can do for now, and the road will be opened for vehicle access to the Lowell Point community.

Residents and visitors should continue to use caution when traveling the road and be prepared for intermittent road closures in the event debris clearing is needed. Please report any activity you may observe that would indicate instability along the roadway. Do not stop along the road at any time. Motorists and pedestrians must stay clear of the landslide and should not stop along the outlook areas. Do not attempt to climb the face of the slide or the side of Bear Mountain. 

The city will continue to monitor and assess the slide area, and will consult with geologists and other experts for future mitigation work. 

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06/03/2022 Lowell Point Road Closure Schedule

 LOWELL POINT ROAD CLOSURE SCHEDULE – UPDATE AS OF 06.03.2022

The Lowell Point Road is open to two lane traffic Friday June 3, 2022 12:00PM. The road will be closed Monday June 6, 2022 through Friday June 10, 2022 to continue debris removal operations. The schedule below lists the open and closed timeframes. The free water taxi service and bus shuttle for Lowell Point residents and individuals who work in Lowell Point and Seward is available during the times the road is closed. The free water taxi, bus shuttle and the parking area services ends June 8^th after the 4:20PM arrival to Seward. These services are no longer available after June 8, 2022. Please plan your trips during the road opening times accordingly.

 

	CLOSED	OPEN	CLOSED	OPEN
FRIDAY 06/03	8AM-12PM	12PM-ONGOING
SATURDAY 06/04		24HRS
SUNDAY 06/05		24HRS
MONDAY 06/06	8AM-12PM	12PM-1PM	1PM-5PM	5PM-8AM TUESDAY 06/07
TUESDAY 06/07	8AM-12PM	12PM-1PM	1PM-5PM	5PM-8AM WEDS 06/08
WEDNESDAY 06/08	8AM-12PM	12PM-1PM	1PM-5PM	5PM-8AM THURS 06/09
THURSDAY 06/09	8AM-12PM	12PM-1PM	1PM-5PM	5PM-8AM FRIDAY 06/10
FRIDAY 06/10	8AM-12PM	12PM-1PM	1PM-5PM	5PM-8AM MONDAY 06/13
SATURDAY 06/11		24HRS
SUNDAY 06/12		24HRS
MONDAY 06/13		8AM – Ongoing schedule to be updated.

Aurora Charters:

The free water taxi service and bus shuttle for Lowell Point residents and individuals who work in Lowell Point and Seward is available during the times the road is closed.

 This schedule does not apply when the road is open. This schedule is void June 9, 2022.

 

Seward Departures	Approximate Arrival In Lowell Point	Lowell Point Departures	Approximate Arrival In Seward
8:30AM	8:50AM	9:00AM	9:20AM
10:00AM	10:20AM	10:30AM	10:50AM
11:30AM	11:50AM	12:00PM	12:20PM
1:00PM	1:20PM	1:30PM	1:50PM
2:00PM	2:20PM	2:30PM	2:50PM
3:30PM	3:50PM	4:00PM	4:20PM

 To schedule a reservation on Aurora’s water taxi (Polaris), residents must call Aurora Charters at 907-224-3968 to make a reservation for transport. If they are unable to answer the phone, Aurora Charters requests that you leave a clear message with your name and phone number. The office hours of Aurora Charters are 7:00AM to 7:00PM daily.

06/02/2022 Lowell Point Water Taxi Schedule UPDATE

The post has been modified (06/03/2022)

The Lowell Point Road is open to two lane traffic Friday June 3, 2022 12:00PM. The road will remain open 24 hours a day until Monday June 6, 2022 8:00AM. The road will be closed Monday June 6, 2022 through Thursday June 9,  Friday June 10, 2022 between 8:00AM and 5:00PM to continue debris removal operations. Operations will open the road from 12PM - 1PM during this timeframe. The free water taxi service and bus shuttle for Lowell Point residents and individuals who work in Lowell Point and Seward is available during the times the road is closed.

NOTE: The free water taxi service ends June 8th after the 4:20PM arrival to Seward. There will be NO free water taxi service after June 8, 2022. Please plan your trips during the road opening times accordingly.

Please contact Aurora Charters to make reservations for the free water taxi service. Aurora Charters is the only operator that is providing this service to impacted residents. The free service ends after June 8, 2022. Those individuals who are scheduling nonessential travel to Lowell Point will need to pay for their transportation through a water taxi service provider. Visitor or tourism transport is not eligible for free service.

 Aurora Charters:
This schedule does not apply when the road is open. This schedule is void June 9, 2022.

Seward Departures	Approximate Arrival In Lowell Point	Lowell Point Departures	Approximate Arrival In Seward
8:30AM	8:50AM	9:00AM	9:20AM
10:00AM	10:20AM	10:30AM	10:50AM
11:30AM	11:50AM	12:00PM	12:20PM
1:00PM	1:20PM	1:30PM	1:50PM
2:00PM	2:20PM	2:30PM	2:50PM
3:30PM	3:50PM	4:00PM	4:20PM

To schedule a reservation on Aurora’s water taxi (Polaris), residents must call Aurora Charters at 907-224-3968 to make a reservation for transport. If they are unable to answer the phone, Aurora Charters requests that you leave a clear message with your name and phone number. The office hours of Aurora Charters are 7:00AM to 7:00PM daily. Those traveling to Seward from Lowell Point are directed to go to South Beach for water taxi access. Those traveling to Lowell Point are directed to go to the North East Ramp for water taxi access. Aurora Charters will be using the dock for embarking and disembarking. This schedule is void June 9, 2022.

Water Taxi Restrictions: 
The following restrictions are in place for these services:

• A reservation is required in order to receive water taxi services
• There is often water on the landing deck to the beach, and proper foot wear is recommended
• There is a two bag limit per person. This includes groceries and supplies
• No pallets or other items are permitted that may damage the vessel
• No firearms are allowed on the vessel
• No fuel or propane is allowed on the vessel
• All passengers are required to adhere to crews’ directions, signage, and safety instructions
• Be at the water taxi pick up location no later than 15 minutes prior to the boarding time
• #1 Priority is given to residents who live in Lowell Point or work in Seward or Lowell Point. Visitor and tourist traffic is not eligible for free service.
• Those travelling to Lowell Point after June 1 should confirm water taxi availability prior to their travel date
• The shuttle for transport to vehicles in Seward is on a set schedule based on the existing water taxi schedule, special calls are not permitted.

The KPB OEM Call Center has been deactivated; however, staff are still answering the information number (907)224-4636(INFO) during business hours of Monday through Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM.

05/29/2022 Updated Water Taxi Schedule for Lowell Point

This water taxi schedule does not apply when the road is open.

The Lowell Point Road is closed Tuesday May 31st through Thursday June 2, 2022 between 8:00AM and 5:00PM so more blasting work can be done. The free water taxi service and bus shuttle for Lowell Point residents and individuals who work in Lowell Point and Seward is available during the times the road is closed.

Please note that you must contact Aurora Charters to make reservations for the free water taxi service. Aurora Charters is the only operator that is providing this service to impacted residents. Those individuals who are scheduling nonessential travel to Lowell Point will need to pay for their transportation through a water taxi service provider. Visitor or tourism transport is not eligible for free service.

Aurora Charters: This schedule does not apply when the road is open.

To schedule a reservation on Aurora’s water taxi (Polaris), residents must call Aurora Charters at 907-224-3968 to make a reservation for transport. If they are unable to answer the phone, Aurora Charters requests that you leave a clear message with your name and phone number. The office hours of Aurora Charters are 7:00AM to 7:00PM daily. Those traveling to Seward from Lowell Point are directed to go to South Beach for water taxi access. Those traveling to Lowell Point are directed to go to the North East Ramp for water taxi access. Aurora Charters will be using the dock for embarking and disembarking.

Water Taxi Restrictions: 
The following restrictions are in place for these services:

• A reservation is required in order to receive water taxi services
• There is often water on the landing deck to the beach, and proper foot wear is recommended
• There is a two bag limit per person. This includes groceries and supplies
• No pallets or other items are permitted that may damage the vessel
• No firearms are allowed on the vessel
• No fuel or propane is allowed on the vessel
• All passengers are required to adhere to crews’ directions, signage, and safety instructions
• Be at the water taxi pick up location no later than 15 minutes prior to the boarding time
• #1 Priority is given to residents who live in Lowell Point or work in Seward or Lowell Point. Visitor and tourist traffic is not eligible for free service.
• Those travelling to Lowell Point after June 1 should confirm water taxi availability prior to their travel date
• The shuttle for transport to vehicles in Seward is on a set schedule based on the existing water taxi schedule, special calls are not permitted.

The KPB OEM Call Center has been deactivated; however, staff are still answering the information number (907)224-4636(INFO) during business hours of Monday through Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM.

05/26/2022 Lowell Point Water Taxi Schedule Update

Thursday May 26, 2022 Water Taxi Update: This post is no longer valid

The water taxi schedule does not apply when the road is open.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough, the City of Seward, and the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management have announced that Lowell Point Road just south of Seward, Alaska is expected to open for two lane traffic beginning Friday, May 27, 2022 at noon. The road will remain open 24 hours a day until Tuesday, May 31, 2022 8:00 AM. Beginning Tuesday May 31, 2022 the road will be closed between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM until Thursday, June 2, 2022 so more blasting work can be done. 

The free water taxi service and bus shuttle for Lowell Point residents and those who work in Lowell Point and Seward will not be running while the road is open, but will be offered again during the times the road is closed. However, water taxis will still operate their individual schedules, so if you choose not to use the road, you can pay for a ride by water taxi by calling Aurora Charters at 907-224-3968 or Millers Landing at 907-331-4040.

When the water taxis are operational please note that both water taxis require reservations, and that these services are free of charge to those who live in Lowell Point or work in Seward or Lowell Point. Those individuals who are scheduling nonessential travel to Lowell Point will need to pay for their transportation through a water taxi service provider. Visitor or tourism transport is not eligible for free service.

To stay up to date on water taxi schedules you may check this blog as well as our Facebook page at KPB Alerts.

Aurora Charters: Schedule does not apply when the road is open.

To schedule a reservation on Aurora’s water taxi (Polaris), residents must call Aurora Charters at 907-224-3968 to make a reservation for transport. If they are unable to answer the phone, Aurora Charters requests that you leave a clear message with your name and phone number. The office hours of Aurora Charters are 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. Those traveling to Seward from Lowell Point are directed to go to South Beach for water taxi access. Those traveling to Lowell Point are directed to go to the North East Ramp for water taxi access. Aurora Charters will be using the dock for embarking and disembarking.

Millers Landing: Schedule does not apply when the road is open.

This schedule will not be valid after May 27, 2022 at 12:00 noon.

The Schedule for the water taxi services provided by Millers Landing is as follows:

To schedule a resident/worker reservation on Miller Landing’s water taxi (Michael), residents/workers must call Millers Landing at 907-331-4040 to make a reservation for transport. If they are unable to answer the phone, please leave a message with your name and phone number. The office hours of Millers Landing is 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. At the time of reservation, each person will be notified of the location for pick up. This schedule represents the supporting schedule for Aurora Charters. There may be additional availability, residents who have additional needs need to contact Millers Landing. 

Water Taxi Restrictions: 
The following restrictions are in place for these services:

• A reservation is required in order to receive water taxi services
• There is often water on the landing deck to the beach, and proper foot wear is recommended
• There is a two bag limit per person. This includes groceries and supplies
• No pallets or other items are permitted that may damage the vessel
• No firearms are allowed on the vessel
• No fuel or propane is allowed on the vessel
• All passengers are required to adhere to crews’ directions, signage, and safety instructions
• Be at the water taxi pick up location no later than 15 minutes prior to the boarding time
• #1 Priority is given to residents who live in Lowell Point or work in Seward or Lowell Point. Visitor and tourist traffic is not eligible for free service.
• Those travelling to Lowell Point after June 1 should confirm water taxi availability prior to their travel date
• The shuttle for transport to vehicles in Seward is on a set schedule based on the existing water taxi schedule, special calls are not permitted.

The KPM OEM Call Center staff are available to answer questions related to water taxi services or vehicle pick up. You may contact them at (907)224-4636(INFO) Monday through Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM.