Yukon’s South Klondike Highway, located south of Carcross, has been partially reopened to traffic on Thursday afternoon following a closure that lasted almost two days due to rock slides on Tuesday. Officials have cautioned that the highway may close again abruptly.
The reopening on Thursday allowed for traffic flow between 1:30 to 6 p.m. with single-lane alternating traffic and reduced speeds. Motorists were advised to anticipate delays as maintenance crews are still active in the region.
Bailey Moreton from the Department of Highways and Public Works mentioned that a detour around the landslide site has been established to facilitate traffic movement. The highway is anticipated to fully reopen from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday before another overnight closure.
Concerns remain high as Moreton highlighted the possibility of the road shutting down unexpectedly. Drivers are encouraged to stay updated through the 511Yukon platform for the latest information.
Theron Finley, a surficial geologist with the Yukon Geological Survey, visited the landslide area with a colleague to investigate the incident. Drones were utilized to inspect the starting point of the slide on the high slope, aiding in understanding the triggers of such geological events for future hazard prevention.
Finley observed that the rock slides were a localized occurrence possibly triggered by heavy rainfall in the vicinity. He noted multiple slides on a nearby peak, with two debris flows reaching the highway. The steep terrain alongside the road makes this section susceptible to slides, prompting efforts to comprehensively document and address these geological risks in collaboration with other government bodies.