Mother Nature has made it a very bad couple of days for highways in the Yukon and northern British Columbia.
On Tuesday, the South Klondike Highway was closed due to a massive landslide near Fraser, B.C.
This morning, the territorial Department of Highways and Public Works released an update saying “the South Klondike Highway remains closed between KM 106 and 24, from Carcross to Fraser due to a rock slide.
“Our crews are working diligently to clear the road, but progress has been delayed due to weather conditions and the risk of further slides. The slide is approximately 110-150 metres wide and 20 metres high and fully covers both lanes of the highway.
“At this time, we do not have an estimated time for reopening. Your safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your patience as we work to resolve the situation.”
An update was set to be provided at 4 p.m. today.
The incident has led to as many as 100 tourists from Skagway being stranded on the Canadian side of the border.
Skagway Mayor Sam Bass confirmed there are tourists stuck on the Yukon side of the slide. Arrangements are being made to hopefully get those tourists back to Skagway via Haines today, he told The Yukon Star.
“It’s an inconvenience, to be sure,” Bass said. “There’s a big impact every time that crucial link is closed.”
Jaime Bricker, the tourism director for Explore Skagway, the city’s tourism department, told the Star the landslide is a major inconvenience, but is not insurmountable.
She said some of the tourists stranded on the Yukon side of the avalanche have already been brought back through Haines, while others are being transported via the White Pass and Yukon Route railway.
“It’s not ideal for anyone,” Bricker said. “But there’s an incredible group of people and resources here. People are finding workarounds.”
Bricker has heard some complaints, but added “most people are understanding when it comes to Mother Nature. Skagway will be just fine.”
Meanwhile, the Alaska Highway north of Fort Nelson, B.C., is once again in danger.
Flooding around Steamboat Mountain has taken out the highway. It has also endangered the fibre-optic cable that provides telecommunications service to the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
A Northwestel Inc. crew is on-site monitoring the line. It’s the same general location that has caused two previous outages to the two territories this spring and summer.
As of late this morning, the highway was closed in both directions. Late Tuesday, it had one lane open in alternating directions to allow traffic to pass. Conditions have deteriorated since then.
The route, of course, is a key one for transporting goods to the Yukon and on to Alaska.
On Tuesday, the South Canol Road, connecting Johnson’s Crossing to Ross River, was closed due to a washout caused by steady rain and beaver activity in culverts. It has since re-opened after a quick repair.
Luc Pantin, the executive director of the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, had something to say about the highway closures.
“The Yukon Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the immediate and severe socio-economic impacts of the recent highway closures. These disruptions have significant consequences for both the local economy and the daily lives of Yukoners,” Pantin said.
He added that “small- and medium-sized enterprises in the Yukon, already grappling with post-COVID challenges, are particularly vulnerable to these unforeseen disruptions.
“The closures hinder residents’ mobility, impede the flow of goods and emergency services, and exacerbate financial strain and operational difficulties. Businesses will face increased costs as they seek alternative routes, and the disruption of tourists’ travel plans will negatively affect local tourism businesses, accommodations, and attractions.”
Pantin suggested “this situation underscores the critical need for more comprehensive strategic planning and continued investment in infrastructure resilience, as well as enhanced preparedness and response plans to better withstand and minimize future disruptions.”
