Yukon’s South Klondike Highway, located south of Carcross, has been partially reopened to traffic on Thursday afternoon, with a warning that it may close again unexpectedly. The highway had been shut down for almost two days due to rock slides on Tuesday that caused debris to block the road between Carcross and the British Columbia border.
Highway officials announced that the road would be open for limited hours from 1:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, allowing for single-lane alternating traffic at reduced speeds. Commuters were advised to anticipate delays as maintenance crews continue their operations in the area.
Bailey Moreton from the Department of Highways and Public Works mentioned that this temporary detour around the landslide site would facilitate traffic movement. The highway is scheduled to fully reopen on Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., only to close again overnight.
Moreton cautioned that the road closure could happen suddenly, urging drivers to monitor the latest updates on 511Yukon. He emphasized the possibility of slope stability issues arising or adverse weather conditions necessitating immediate road closures to ensure the safety of both workers and travelers in the vicinity.
Theron Finley, a surficial geologist at the Yukon Geological Survey, visited the slide area on Wednesday with a colleague to investigate the incident. By utilizing drones, they were able to inspect the upper section of the slope where the rockslides originated.
Finley classified the slides as a localized occurrence triggered by heavy rainfall in the area. He observed multiple slides on a nearby peak, with two debris flows reaching the highway. The expert highlighted the highway’s susceptibility to slides due to the steep terrain adjacent to the road.
“We are dedicating efforts to document and comprehend these phenomena, allowing us to collaborate with governmental bodies to mitigate similar geological risks,” Finley elaborated.
Overall, ongoing monitoring and assessment are crucial to addressing geological hazards in the region effectively.