Opinion: When world leaders come to town

We know the President of the United States and the President of Russia are coming to our state for a big meeting. Sounds exciting, right? It is; but it also means our normal routines are about to get turned upside down for a few days. Today, I want to help you understand what happens when world leaders visit and how it affects your route.

When heads of state meet for what’s called a summit, it’s like the biggest security event you can imagine. Think of it as if the most important people in the world are coming to your neighborhood, and everyone wants to make sure nothing bad happens to them. This means that normally quiet roads could suddenly be filled with police cars, Secret Service agents, and maybe even military vehicles. Aircraft might not get to use areas they normally are not. You might find the streets that you drive on every day to get to work or shopping completely blocked off. The government creates what they call security zones around wherever the presidents are staying and meeting.

The smart move is to plan as if that weekend simply doesn’t exist for your normal activities. Stay home unless you absolutely have to leave. This isn’t just about avoiding traffic jams, though those will be terrible. It’s about staying away from areas where tensions might be high and where security is super tight. Even if you’re just trying to get groceries, you could end up stuck at a checkpoint for hours or accidentally wander into a restricted area.

Your work schedule needs to change too. Plan to leave extra early and have backup routes ready. The Glenn Highway will likely have delays, so think about taking back roads if you know them well. If it’s an option, talk to your boss about working from home that weekend or see if you can shift your hours to avoid the busiest times.

School activities often get canceled or moved when something this big happens. Check the school district’s social media because it will share updates about any changes to sports games, school events, or even regular classes.

Shopping and errands should happen before the summit weekend arrives if you do a lot of that in Anchorage. Stock up on groceries, fill your gas tank, and get any prescriptions you need ahead of time. Stores near the summit location might close temporarily, and even if they stay open, getting to them could be nearly impossible.

One thing many people don’t think about is that summits often attract protesters and demonstrators. While most protests are peaceful, they can create crowds and more security concerns. Avoid large group gatherings or planned demonstrations. Don’t let curiosity put you in a risky situation.

Finding truthful information is key to staying prepared. Start with local governments, which may share official notices about road closures and safety guidelines. 511.Alaska.gov gives updates about traffic changes, closures, and delays. Local radio stations like KHITZ, KMBQ, and KSKA often provide real-time information during big events like this. Newspapers may provide schedules of activities to help you plan around.

This kind of event doesn’t happen often in Alaska, so it’s normal to feel unsure about what to do. The most important things are planning, staying flexible, and prioritizing safety over convenience.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.