§3172 North Slope Haul Road

Summary

While the North Slope Haul Road between the south end of the Yukon River Bridge and Prudhoe Bay is closed to general public use (except for certain state‑regulated local traffic north of the Yukon River, industrial vehicles, and high‑occupancy buses), that stretch is not subject to the federal highway rules in title 23. The Secretary, after talking with the Secretary of Transportation and the Governor of Alaska, must agree on how many vehicles can use it and when. Before that agreement, they must talk with nearby local governments. Alaska may limit access, set rules, and charge tolls even if federal law says otherwise. Removing the federal restrictions does not depend on repaying any federal highway funds already paid for that road, and Alaska’s obligation to repay those funds is waived while the road stays closed as described above.