With schools back in session, the Yukon Party says it fears “an accident waiting to happen” at a teeming Riverdale intersection.

On Tuesday afternoon, the party called attention to project documents on the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) website.

They say major roadwork and storm sewer line repairs just south of Selkirk Elementary School were to be completed in 2021.

“Project documents say the work was to occur with minimal disruption to traffic,” the Yukon Party said.

However, work on the project is not complete as Yukoners entered the 2022-2023 school year on Monday.

“Parents of Selkirk Elementary were informed on the first day of school that access to the Lewes Boulevard and Alsek Road intersection would be closed until October,” the Yukon Party said.

“Parents were told their children should use the push-button crosswalk on Lewes just north of the school.

“Furthermore, with major work set to begin this week at the intersection, the City of Whitehorse announced that the traffic lights are set for deactivation (today), and a three-way stop will take its place,” the official Opposition said.

“With peak Riverdale traffic occurring as students head to school in the morning, the situation will quickly become an accident waiting to happen.”

The city said Tuesday afternoon, “Residents are advised that construction will begin (today) at the intersection of Lewes Boulevard, Alsek Road, and Selkirk Street.

“The project is being led by the Government of Yukon’s contractor, Norcope Construction Group, which will be installing a new storm water drainage system, as well as upgrading the pavement, sidewalks, and traffic lights,” the city said.

“In order to accommodate the work, the traffic lights will be temporarily removed, and the intersection will be controlled by a three-way stop. Temporary traffic detours will also be in place.

“Pedestrians are asked to use the crosswalk with flashing lights about 150 metres north along Lewes Boulevard.”

The weather-dependent construction is expected to be completed by Sept. 24, the city added.

The Yukon Party said it’s wondering why this project, “at the bottleneck of a major Whitehorse subdivision, in an area with two high schools and an elementary school,” remains unfinished.

“With the request for students to access the crosswalk further north on Lewes, how are students supposed to cross Alsek?” the party asked.

“What did the Liberal government do to try to avoid this result?

“How have the two Liberal MLAs for Riverdale advocated for their constituents to avoid this traffic nightmare?” the opposition party queried.

“When the project was going through YESAB, did the Riverdale MLAs make their constituents aware of the scope encompassing the roadwork at Alsek and Lewes so that they could comment?”

Riverdale North is represented by cabinet minister Nils Clarke, while ministerial colleague Tracy-Anne McPhee is the MLA for Riverdale South.

“In addition,” the Yukon Party asked, “when did the Liberal government first inform the Selkirk School Council of changes to access to the school for students and parents?

“This is yet another case of the Liberals’ mismanaging an infrastructure project and not doing the due diligence to ensure the work was completed with minimal disruption to Yukoners.”

Asked about the official Opposition’s remarks, cabinet communications staff offered this statement Tuesday afternoon:

“The well-being, safety and protection of students is of the upmost importance to our government.

“The Government of Yukon is working with the City of Whitehorse to ensure there is a safe crossing (Wednesday) morning as pedestrians are directed to use the crosswalk with flashing lights, about 150 metres north along Lewes Boulevard.

“The new storm water drainage system will help protect the Riverdale neighbourhood from the risk of flooding as well as improve the function of the Lewes and Alsek junction, with improved bicycle lanes and lights.”

The Yukon Party should be well aware, the statement added, “that material procurement has been challenging for construction projects across the country since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We will continue to work together with our partners to address concerns with ongoing construction near Selkirk Elementary School and support students and families.

“Our government is moving forward with unprecedented investments in infrastructure projects as we continue to make progress on the infrastructure deficit left by the Yukon Party.”