Yukon’s South Klondike Highway, located south of Carcross, has been partially reopened to traffic on Thursday afternoon, although authorities have cautioned that it may close again unpredictably. The highway had been shut down for almost two days following a series of rock slides on Tuesday which obstructed the road between Carcross and the B.C. border. Yukon highway officials have announced that the highway will be accessible from 1:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, with traffic being managed in a single-lane alternating pattern and reduced speeds enforced. Motorists should anticipate delays as maintenance crews continue their operations in the area.
Bailey Moreton, from the Department of Highways and Public Works, explained that a detour around the landslide zone has been established to allow traffic to pass through. The highway is anticipated to fully reopen on Friday, operating from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., prior to closing overnight. Moreton emphasized the possibility of sudden closures, advising drivers to monitor the latest updates on 511Yukon for any developments.
Theron Finley, a surficial geologist with the Yukon Geological Survey, and a colleague visited the site of the landslide on Wednesday to investigate the incident. By utilizing drones, they were able to observe the upper part of the slope where the slide originated. Finley highlighted that the slides were likely a localized occurrence triggered by heavy rainfall in the vicinity. He noted multiple slides on a nearby peak, with two debris flows reaching the highway. The specific section of the highway is susceptible to slides due to the steep terrain adjacent to the road, necessitating thorough documentation and analysis to address geological hazards effectively.
Finley expressed the importance of understanding and predicting such events to collaborate with governmental bodies in mitigating geological risks in the region.