The city of Whitehorse advises travelers to adjust their travel plans and use alternative routes or modes of transport as a result of Saturday’s slope.
Please stay away from the airport aisle and avoid walking on the ice of the river for photos. Fire Chief Everit took them and they covered him. Barriers and signs have been set up, and bylaws will be in place throughout the night. More: pic.twitter.com/2CHWjvJ3wc
– @ city_whitehorse
The Robert Service Way and the Millennium Trail and Airport Trail near the center of Whitehorse are temporarily closed due to an apparent landslide on the slope around 3pm on Saturday.
Derek Johnstone, traffic manager in the town of Whitehorse, says the area around the rink is unstable due to ice under the mud, which has melted due to higher temperatures.
“The descending water caused one of the areas to slide across the road and just pulled part of the Millennium Trail,” he said.
The city is asking people to avoid this area until the mud, stones and trees are removed and the road and paths can be safely opened. (Sent by Yukon Emergency Services)
Road and trail closures include the Robert Service Way area, from the roundabout to Miles Canyon Road near Yukon Energy Corporation. The affected areas of the Millennium Trail and Airport Trail are also closed.
Robert Service Way and Millennium Trail are temporarily closed due to sagging slopes. Please avoid this area until the material is removed and the road is reopened.
– @ WhitehorseFire1
The city is asking people to avoid this area until the mud, stones and trees are removed and the road and paths can be safely opened.
“From what I see here, it’s just a guardrail. “There was also some of the railroad infrastructure that was dug up,” Johnstone said.
Johnstone says the road is likely to be closed to both vehicles and pedestrians until further orders, when all materials are removed and city teams can assess the situation.
Alternative routes for student transport are planned and the city says Standard Bus is informed.
He said no one was injured, but there were several vehicles and pedestrians nearby at the time.
“I heard a boom – very loud noise”
Teresa Earl was driving south near Robert Service Way’s eagle’s nest when she heard a “boom, very loud noise.”
“I saw him coming down to me and then he came across the view of my rearview mirror,” she said.
Earl says she immediately backed off the side of the road and called 911.
“I was the first to call. “I was on the phone with a 911, and then another slide went down even bigger in the same place,” she said.
Earl says that immediately after her call, the Emergency Center and law enforcement officers showed up.
“This is the time to appreciate all the civil servants who have taken action,” she said.
Whitehorse resident Lenore Morris said she went for a bike ride on Miles Canyon Road, “by the time I got back, the rink had happened.” (Submitted by Lenore Morris)
The city begs for attention
Johnstone says this is the first time he can think of a slide – which the city calls a gap – of this size.
“It started happening last year with the accumulation of snow that we had last year. And it’s not just in this area, “he said.
Johnstone says the volatile zone stretches across the clay coast. He says residents should be careful when using paths on clay rocks.
“I’ll watch you go, just to be sure,” he says.
City officials continue to monitor the situation and updates will be provided when they become available.
(Sent by Yukon Emergency Services)
Updated
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This story has been updated to include the most up-to-date information. An earlier version of this article stated that the Robert Service Way would reopen on Sunday afternoon. In fact, it will remain closed until further notice.
May 1, 2022, 1:28 PM EDT
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