Alaska Railroad seeks repairs for damaged wall sections in Healy Canyon

A spectacular section of the Alaska Railroad in the Healy Canyon near Denali National Park, where trains are limited to 15 mph, needs serious repairs.

“The area has a long history of slope stability problems in the form of deep-seated landslides, rapid slope movement, washouts, and rockfall issues, which all affect operations and safety in the Healy Canyon,” a 2022 report by Michael Baker International said.

The ever-shifting earth has been a challenge in this area since the railroad was built a century ago, crossing an ancient lake that once filled the Nenana gorge.

The railroad plans to use a Federal Transit Administration grant to replace four of 14 retaining walls in a 1-mile section. The railroad issued a request for proposals Aug. 1 for the design work on the highest priority locations.

The 2002 report called for a multi-year approach to repair 7 retaining walls judged to be in poor condition and 13 deemed to be marginal.