What is the cost of Climate Change on Alaska’s Local Infrastructure?

Drs. Emma Verstraete and Allie Zachwieja recently published an article titled "Vernacular Infrastructure: a hidden cost in the economics of climate change and permafrost thaw in Alaska" in Sustainable Futures (Volume 9, June 2025, 100762).

Their research identified a gap in economic projections for climate change-induced infrastructure failure. This gap is due to economic projections focusing on traditional state highways for transportation while overlooking community-built and -maintained winter trails that represent the main source of transportation for much of western and northern Alaska.

The map shows the contrast in the state of Alaska between the vast number of community winter trails in grey and pink lines, and actual maintained traditional roads, which are quite minimal, in blue lines. Pink roads receive some funding from the state for maintenance, whereas grey roads are maintained by community volunteers. 
 

Handmade wooden community trail marker, made from reclaimed driftwood to be seen over the snow. These are the most common form of trail markers used in Alaska for winter trails.