Erosion encroaches near Glenn Highway

SUTTON — High water from the Matanuska River recently caused 24 feet of riverbank to slough away north of Sutton around Mile 63 of the Glenn Highway.

Mat-Su Borough Manager John Duffy said that although the erosion is not far from the road, it doesn’t pose an emergency at this time.

Eileen Haines, who lives in Sutton, said she has made calls to the state Department of Transportation and the Alaska State Troopers about erosion coming close to the road with little results.

But the Mat-Su Borough is aware of the problem, Duffy said.

“There is some erosion going on up in the Sutton area,” Duffy said. “DOT is responding to that.”

According to a report Duffy prepared for the Mat-Su Borough Assembly this past week, DOT will place 160 feet of riprap in the affected area. Riprap is crushed rock often used to shore up river and stream beds.

A representative from the DOT contacted about the Sutton erosion problem did not return messages by press time.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.