By Delcenia Cosman

Homer Independent Press

A section of Beach Access Road in Ninilchik is currently closed due to a landslide that occurred Sunday.

Alaska Department of Transportation Central Region Administrative Operations Manager Justin Shelby said Wednesday that crews have staged equipment near the slide and plan to start clearing the road on Thursday, weather permitting.

“The big caveat is the weather. We’re hoping that it dries up enough overnight, but if we get more heavy rains, it’ll push our time back,” he said.

Shelby said that DOT estimates it will take about a day and a half to clear the debris and reopen the road.

DOT announced the closure on Facebook a few minutes after noon on Sunday.

“Ninilchik Beach Access Road is closed just before it turns toward the beach due to a landslide. Crews will begin clearing the road when weather conditions allow and it is safe to do so,” the post says.

Shelby said the landslide was caused by recent heavy rains destabilizing the hillside. He also said that aside from campers on the beach, residents were not impacted by the landslide. 

An update posted at 2:25 p.m. Sunday offered an alternative exit route from the beach through Red Bluff Drive, about 3 miles north of Beach Access Road. 

Find current traffic information at 511.alaska.gov.