Yukon’s South Klondike Highway, located south of Carcross, has been partially reopened to traffic, with a caution that it may close again unpredictably. The highway had been shut down for close to 48 hours following two rock slides on Tuesday that obstructed the road between Carcross and the British Columbia border.

Officials from the Yukon highway department announced that the highway would be accessible from 1:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, featuring single-lane alternating traffic and reduced speed limits. Motorists were advised to anticipate delays as maintenance crews continue their operations in the affected zone.

Bailey Moreton, from the Department of Highways and Public Works, explained that a temporary detour around the landslide section had been arranged to facilitate traffic flow. It was confirmed that the highway is projected to fully reopen on Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., with plans to close overnight.

Moreton emphasized the possibility of sudden closures due to slope stability concerns or adverse weather conditions, recommending drivers to monitor the latest updates on 511Yukon. Theron Finley, a surficial geologist with the Yukon Geological Survey, conducted an investigation at the slide site to assess the incident with the aid of drones.

Finley identified the slides as a localized occurrence triggered by heavy rainfall, affecting a nearby peak and resulting in debris flows onto the highway. The geologist noted the heightened risk of slides in that area due to the steep terrain along the roadside, underscoring the importance of documenting and understanding such events for hazard mitigation efforts in collaboration with other government agencies.