Bypass road added around Willow flood

WILLOW — A bypass road has been added around the flooded Willow Creek at Deneki Bridge in Willow.

Mat-Su Borough Operations and Maintenance crews added a bypass road that should allow residents greater access to the bridge area, according to a statement from borough Public Works Director Terry Dolan posted on Monday.

“We’re aware that there’s a significant amount of frustration among residents who have had difficulty accessing their properties for the last two weeks. We’re moving as quickly as we can to improve the access and this bypass road should go a long way towards making that possible,” said Dolan.

Dolan said that repair plans to get the water back to the river channel will be further developed and refined. On Tuesday night at 6 p.m., the Mat-Su Borough Assembly will review a work plan set forward to continue getting water back into the river and allow residents to eventually use the road to return to their homes. If the work plan is approved, work could begin as soon as Wednesday morning. The road hotline for the Willow Flood is 861-7755. Residents should only use four-wheel-drive vehicles to try to use the bypass road, as outflow of water back into Willow Creek is eight inches deep.