Infrastructure
Climate change already affects Alaska, costing millions of dollars annually for repairs to transportation, buildings, and other infrastructure due to melting of permafrost and other ice-covered regions.
Melting permafrost and ice-covered regions
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Structural failure in buildings and airports due to thawing permafrost, melting of ice-covered regions.
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Road damage from melted permafrost currently costs $10 million per year (Alaska Climate Impact Assessment).
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Broken pipelines. For example, the Trans Alaska Pipeline would cost $800 million to repair.
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Flooding from glacial fed steams and rivers onto roads such as the Copper River and Richardson Highways.
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Accelerated road deterioration and increased maintenance costs.
