The Yukon Party says its efforts have initiated a cleanup of abandoned vehicles along the territory’s highways.

But the government says this work occurs every summer – regardless of opposition parties’ statements and letter-writing.

“Yukoners had been raising this issue with Yukon Party MLAs, who also noted many abandoned vehicles along the South and North Klondike Highway during their visits to rural Yukon this spring,” the YP said Thursday.

In May, Scott Kent, the Yukon Party MLA for Copperbelt South, wrote an open letter to Highways and Public Works Minister Nils Clarke requesting the government address the growing numbers of abandoned vehicles from the Klondike Highway. Some were inoperable after having veered off the road or rolled over.

“The minister committed to remove all abandoned vehicles from Yukon highways by the end of the summer in a letter dated June 14,” the official Opposition said.

That letter also said his department will “update internal policy and process, and educate the public about the rules of highway rights-of-way and abandoned vehicles.’”

“I am happy our efforts to raise the problem have started the cleanup process,” said Kent.

“Abandoned vehicles can be a hazard for travelers and hurt our reputation with tourists as a scenic destination.

“This fall, the Yukon Party official Opposition looks forward to holding the minister to his promise to remove all abandoned vehicles from Yukon highways.”

Cabinet communications staff said Thursday afternoon, “We’d like to thank the Yukon Party caucus for acknowledging the hard work of HPW staff and for recognizing that summer has historically been the time when HPW undertakes this work along with other road maintenance activities.

“HPW continuously updates and reviews its internal processes, including those for the removal of abandoned vehicles, and this work was underway prior to the request from the Yukon Party.

“We look forward to seeing what other government activities the Yukon Party will attempt to take credit for as we transition into the fall season.”