Landslide on Robert Service Way in Whitehorse held back by barriers

The road remains open along Robert Service Way following a late-morning landslide on the escarpment in Whitehorse.

The latest landslide contained less than 750 cubic metres of earth, but was enough in one spot to reach the top of concrete barriers erected by the city last week.

"Crews responded and road users going through the area might notice some increased activity because crews are going to be onsite monitoring and making sure everything continues to remain stable," said Oshea Jephson, a spokesperson for the city of Whitehorse.

In May 2023, landslides forced road closures in three separate incidents.

At a news conference back in March, Whitehorse Mayor Laura Cabott said the city was taking additional measures to address slides on the escapement this year.

"We expect that instability along the escarpment, because of climate change, is now a regular occurrence," she said.

Rock, dirt and debris just reached the top of concrete barriers erected by the city in April. (Caitrin Pilkington/CBC)

At the same news conference, the city said it had acquired 400 concrete barriers and a sheet pile wall to protect some of the riskiest areas along the road. They also committed to ongoing monitoring involving regular visual inspections, radar-based slope scanning and measuring groundwater levels.

The concrete barriers and sheet pile wall were installed earlier this week.

"As conditions change, we continue to adapt," city spokesperson Jepson said. "And based on that area of concern, the decision was made to erect the lock block wall and we're seeing it work today."

For now, Robert Service Way will remain open, but Jephson said that anyone travelling along the escarpment should proceed with caution and avoid crews working in the area.