While McKinnon Street is closed to traffic for a total rebuild, the container vans and heavy freight that need an alternate route to and from downtown have been shifted to Case Avenue, necessitating that street’s closure to through traffic.

“Due to roadway restrictions and tight turning radiuses on alternative streets, Case Avenue is the only other route available for these large container vans to mobilize in and out of downtown,” according to a public notice issued by the borough.

McKinnon had been the primary corridor for heavy-vehicle traffic from the freight yard on the downtown waterfront.

Now that McKinnon is closed, “Case Avenue will temporarily become the designated freight hauling route for AML and Samson Tug and Barge to transport container vans to locations south of downtown,” the notice said.

The move to limit traffic on Case is for the safety of other motorists and pedestrians during the months of heavier truck traffic on the narrow street.

“The road will be strictly limited to local traffic only,” the borough said. “If you do not live on Case Avenue, are not visiting a resident on Case Avenue or do not have business with a commercial property located directly on Case Avenue, you are considered through traffic and are prohibited” from using the street.

“Through traffic refers to drivers who are using a street merely as a shortcut to get from one part of town to another, without having a specific destination on that street.”

Case will remain open for emergency vehicles.

In addition to providing the public notice on its website and Facebook page, the borough mailed the closure notice to all residents and businesses on Case Avenue and Peninsula Street.

Borough officials have recommended motorists who normally use Case for travel to or from downtown instead use Zimovia Highway as a detour route. 

The assembly last month awarded a contract to Ketchikan Ready-Mix & Quarry to rebuild and resurface McKinnon Street, from Front to Church streets, at a cost of $1.69 million. The work will include new underground utilities, storm drains, street paving and new sidewalks.

The contractor hopes to finish by late fall, Amber Al-Haddad, Wrangell’s capital projects director, said last week.

City Hall has directed questions about the Case Avenue closure to Kate Thomas, economic development director, at kthomas@wrangell.com, 907-874-2381.