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Dempster Highway reopens on Yukon side, but Peel River ferry still out

CBC News | Posted: August 16, 2016 7:57 PM | Last Updated: August 17, 2016

Yukon crews have fixed washouts that closed road last week

Image | Abraham Francis ferry landing

Caption: A file photo shows the high water levels that closed the Peel River ferry crossing in July. The crossing is closed again due to water levels and the Northwest Territories Department of Transportation says the river has to drop at least a metre before the ferry can resume service. (N.W.T. Department of Transportation)

Highways workers have reopened the Yukon portion of the Dempster Highway according to the government road information website, Yukon 511.

Image | Dempster update

Caption: An official says highways crews worked non-stop to repair the road. The yellow section contains the roughest sections of road, but much of the highway is considered to have difficult driving conditions due to wet weather. (Yukon511)

But that won't be much help for travellers heading to or coming from the Mackenzie Delta area.
The ferry crossing at the Peel River on the Northwest Territories' side of the Dempster Highway is closed, said Ioana Spiridonica with the N.W.T. Department of Transportation in Yellowknife.
"Before we can open the ferry again for public service, the water levels need to recede by at least another metre so we can work on fixing the landing," Spiridonica said.

Image | Dempster Highway washout

Caption: Heavy rains last week washed out the Dempster Highway in 15 places. (Joe Bishop)

The Dempster Highway had been closed since heavy rains last Wednesday washed out several sections of the road.
Clint Ireland, director of Yukon's Transportation Maintenance branch, said earlier today Yukon crews worked non-stop to repair the washouts.
Yukon's road conditions site cautions that there are many rough sections on the highway, as well as wet, icy conditions near the Northwest Territories border.​

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