Cold Bay, a community of about 150 residents, supports a world-class airport built during World War II and has the third longest runway in Alaska. The two communities are only 20 miles apart, but there is no road between them. A road between the two communities is needed to ensure transportation accessibility and safety. Transportation between Cold Bay and King Cove is accomplished by sea or by air. Unfortunately, weather conditions and topography make King Cove one of the worst places in the United States to access by either water or by air.
Air travel is especially difficult.
King Cove's airport has a 3360-foot dirt runway approximately 115 feet wide. The airstrip is surrounded by mountains and steep valleys. The topography can cause very difficult wind conditions. During the winter, the prevailing northerly winds combined with heavy snow showers, strong crosswinds and turbulence often bring all air traffic to a stop. Numerous other air crashes have occurred as well.