Yukon’s South Klondike Highway south of Carcross has partially reopened to traffic following a closure that lasted for nearly two days due to rock slides on Tuesday. Officials have cautioned that the highway could close again unexpectedly. The roadway is accessible with single-lane alternating traffic and reduced speeds between Carcross and the B.C. border from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Drivers should anticipate delays as work continues in the area.
Bailey Moreton from the Department of Highways and Public Works mentioned that the current setup serves as a detour around the affected area, allowing traffic to move through. The highway is set to fully reopen on Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. but will be closed overnight. Moreton emphasized the possibility of sudden closures, advising drivers to check 511Yukon for real-time updates to ensure safety for both workers and travelers.
Theron Finley, a surficial geologist at the Yukon Geological Survey, visited the site of the rock slides to investigate the incident with a colleague. Using drones, they examined the starting point of the slide on the slope. Finley noted that the slides were likely triggered by heavy rainfall, leading to debris flows reaching the highway from nearby peaks. The steep terrain along that section of the highway makes it susceptible to such events, highlighting the importance of understanding and documenting these occurrences for future hazard mitigation efforts.
