Robert Service Way is scheduled to re-open for vehicle traffic on Monday morning, Mayor Laura Cabott announced Thursday afternoon.

Over the last week, Cabott told a news briefing, crews have been working to manually trigger a remaining portion of the escarpment that posed a risk to road users along Robert Service Way.

“Since that work began, a large portion of the material has been removed, which reduces the risk considerably,” said Cabott.

“We have also seen less seepage and sloughing from this portion of the escarpment.”

The reduction in movement has been confirmed by the slope monitoring equipment, as well as by visual site inspections,” she said.

Cabott said the city is pleased to see this area of the escarpment continue to stabilize.

“While we haven’t been able eliminate all the risk, we believe we have reduced the risk enough to temporarily reopen Robert Service Way as early as Monday morning.”

If conditions allow, two-way traffic will be permitted between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

A landslide closed the road on Apr. 8.

Tracy Allen, the city’s director of infrastructure and operations, said they are not at this time considering opening the roadway for 24-hour use because visual inspections cannot be done at night.

Cabott said the road will only reopen if conditions allow. If conditions change dramatically, and it’s unsafe, it will remained closed.

“On Sunday afternoon, we will make a determination based on the latest information and will inform the public through social media and our engage Whitehorse page,” the mayor said.

The territorial Department of Highways and Public Works will also update Yukon 511 with the latest conditions.

If the artery is reopened, signage would be placed at the intersection of Robert Service Way and the Alaska Highway, and media outlets will be informed.

There will also be concrete barriers placed at the bottom of the slide area, between the edge of the road and the bottom of the escarpment to further ensure the protection of motorists.

The mayor said the softball diamonds along Robert Service Way remain accessible, and she encourages ball players to use them.

The mayor said officials will not be changing the transit schedule that was developed in response to the road closure because they don’t want to create a situation of going back and forth should there be another closure.

Walking trails in the area will remain closed.

Vehicles, she said, offer protection to their occupants, but pedestrians and cyclists are more vulnerable to a potential slide.

The blue Rotary Pedestrian Bridge remains open for people looking to access the downtown area through Robert Service Way.

Cabott said the city continues to monitor the escarpment throughout the downtown area and Takhini.

Daily inspections of the escarpment continue with the slope scanner to provide the latest information, but conditions can change rapidly, she said.

If the road is reopened, Cabott said, there would be slightly reduced speeds, and she encourages motorists to drive accordingly.

“We will continue to provide updates as they become available, and look forward to sharing some more good news on Sunday,” she said.

After the April 30, 2022 slide, the road was off-limits for seven weeks.

Meanwhile, the Robert Service Campground will open next Thursday.

“This season, we’re introducing online reservations,” the city said this morning.

“Choose your perfect campsite, and book it through our online platform. After your stay, we invite you to fill out our quick feedback form to let us know how we’re doing.

“We’re also building a new, modern facility, and want campers to be aware that there will be standard construction noise throughout the summer. This may start at 7 a.m., but won’t continue past 5 p.m.”

With the road and trail closures from the escarpment slides, the city advises campers should check https://engagewhitehorse.ca/escarpment-2023 for the latest conditions.