Yukon’s South Klondike Highway, located south of Carcross, has partially reopened to traffic on Thursday afternoon. However, officials have cautioned that there is a possibility of it closing again without prior notice.
The highway had been shut down for close to 48 hours following a couple of rock slides on Tuesday that resulted in debris blocking the roadway between Carcross and the British Columbia border.
Yukon highway authorities have announced that the highway will be accessible between 1:30 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, operating with single-lane alternating traffic and reduced speeds. Motorists should anticipate delays as maintenance crews continue their efforts in the affected area.
Bailey Moreton, representing the Department of Highways and Public Works, explained that a detour has been set up around the landslide zone to facilitate the flow of traffic.
The highway is anticipated to fully reopen on Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., before being closed overnight. Moreton emphasized the potential for sudden closures due to slope stability concerns or adverse weather conditions, urging drivers to check 511Yukon for real-time updates.
Theron Finley, a surficial geologist from the Yukon Geological Survey, visited the slide location on Wednesday with a colleague to investigate the incident. Utilizing drones, they were able to inspect the upper part of the slope where the slide originated.
Finley stated that the slides appeared to be isolated incidents triggered by heavy rainfall in the area. He observed multiple slides on a nearby peak, with two debris flows reaching the highway. The geologist highlighted the highway’s susceptibility to slides due to the steep terrain adjacent to the road.
Efforts are underway to document and comprehend these events to anticipate and address future geological risks effectively in collaboration with government agencies.