Photo by Vince Fedoroff
SKIRTING THE PROBLEM – As seen this morning, traffic has been diverted to the old Alaska Highway by the washout near Mendenhall, west of Whitehorse. Below: some of the damage is seen below road level.
High water damages Alaska Highway west of city
Traffic is once again making its way through the Mendenhall area after flowing water forced the closure of the Alaska Highway west of Whitehorse at midday Wednesday.
Traffic is once again making its way through the Mendenhall area after flowing water forced the closure of the Alaska Highway west of Whitehorse at midday Wednesday.
Aisha Montgomery, a Department of Highways and Public Works spokesperson, said this morning a one-lane detour has been created through the affected area at km 1503.6.
Eyewitnesses say the water was as deep as three metres (10 feet) along the side of the road.
There is no weight restriction on the detour, Montgomery said.
Drivers should still expect a delay of about 20 minutes when travelling through the area.
On the Whitehorse side of the problem, highways crews set up a stop-check at the corner of the Alaska Highway and the Mayo Road.
By Wednesday evening, a line of west-bound vehicles, many bearing out-of-territory licence plates, could be seen at the stop-check.
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