Highway from Alberta to N.W.T. reopened for 'essential and emergency services'
The highway between High Level, Alta., and Enterprise, N.W.T., remains closed to public
The highway leading from High Level, Alta., into the Northwest Territories remains closed to the public, but is open to commercial carriers, the Alberta government has confirmed.
A wildfire has forced the closure of Highway 35 in Alberta — which becomes Highway 1 at the Northwest Territories border — between High Level and Enterprise, N.W.T., since Tuesday afternoon. The highway is the only road directly linking the Northwest Territories and Alberta and is an important route for freight and goods.
On Thursday morning, 511 Alberta, which is responsible for the Alberta government's official road reports, tweeted that the highway has been opened to commercial carriers.
UPDATE: Hwy35, north of High Level, from Hutch Lake to NWT border is OPEN to essential commercial & emergency traffic ONLY at this time. Remains closed for passenger vehicles. (11:25am) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ABRoads?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ABRoads</a> <a href="https://t.co/5Zq9bcToi3">pic.twitter.com/5Zq9bcToi3</a>
—@511AlbertaOn Wednesday it was confirmed that the fire near Steen River, Alta., had burned down a railway bridge leading into the territory.
Canada Post said Wednesday that mail deliveries into the territory had also been held up due to the closure. On Thursday, Canada Post confirmed that the trucks carrying mail into the N.W.T. are en route to Yellowknife.
The highway remains closed south of High Level. The N.W.T. government's infrastructure department is suggesting residents follow its Twitter account for updates.