The deadline to remove studded tires from vehicles on Alaska roadways was extended for communities above the 60 degrees latitude line, including Kenai and Soldotna.

A 15-day extension was announced in a press release by the Department of Public Safety on Wednesday, pushing back the deadline to have studded tires removed on the Central Kenai Peninsula until May 15. This includes Kenai, Soldotna and Seward. In Homer, studded tires will need to be removed by May 1.

The release says that studded tires will be allowed on all parts of the Sterling Highway until the May 15 deadline.

“Much of Alaska is experiencing prolonged winter weather after a heavy snow winter that has extended the ice season well into April,” Department Commissioner Jim Cockrell says in the release. “This 15-day extension for the studded tire removal deadline will provide additional time to switch to regular tires without compromising safety.”

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.