Photo by Dan Davidson
DIFFERENT YEAR, DIFFERENT STORY – By this time last year, as seen above, light-duty vehicles could use an ice bridge to cross the Yukon River at Dawson City, but there’s no such luck this year. This photo was taken on Jan. 11, 2023.
The Yukon government continues to monitor the conditions of the Yukon River in Dawson City, but there’s still no date for a potential ice bridge.
The Yukon government continues to monitor the conditions of the Yukon River in Dawson City, but there’s still no date for a potential ice bridge.
The Dawson region is currently in a -40s cold snap.
“While the river continues to show signs of ice formation, there is still not enough to construct an ice bridge at this time,” the government said Monday.
“It remains a priority to provide a reliable means of crossing the river for residents this winter. Emergency services are accessible for West Dawson residents by calling 911.”
Virtual health appointments and other health resources online are also available to residents, the government noted.
Those include 24-hour health advice by phoning 811, and virtual health appointments with a doctor.
“For safety reasons, residents of the community are reminded to avoid crossing the river by any method until a sanctioned ice bridge is in place,” the government said.
Yukoners who want to find up-to-date information on the status of the ice bridge can visit https://Yukon.ca/ice-bridge and check https://511Yukon.ca.
Last year, the bridge was open to light-duty vehicles (up to 10,000 kilograms) on Jan. 5.
Heavy-duty vehicles (up to 40,000 kilograms) could cross the ice bridge from last Feb. 2.
“The current ice formation conditions are uncommon, but they have been seen in the past, such as in 2018/2019 and 2013/2014,” the government said.
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Comments (6)
Up 8 Down 0
Yukoner ‘71 on Jan 28, 2024 at 11:21 am
Groucho, in the early 90’s the estimated cost of a bridge was 20 million. Further back when the Clinton Creek mine was in operation the estimated price was 7 million and the mine offered to pay 1/2 of that. In hindsight, a bridge at Dawson City costing taxpayers only 3.5 million should have been jumped at. All the multiple studies and reports completed on the bridge since then which are sitting around on shelves collecting dust have probably cost at least 1 million alone.
Up 5 Down 0
Moose101 on Jan 28, 2024 at 7:15 am
At least double that 55 million for cost now . Look at the cost of bridge in teslin .
Up 39 Down 2
Groucho d'North on Jan 24, 2024 at 8:53 am
You may recall that back in 2004 the estimated cost to build a real useable all year bridge was $55 million. I wonder what that cost would be today?
Up 52 Down 1
Joe Boyle on Jan 24, 2024 at 7:13 am
Living in West Dawson comes with many pros and cons, one of which is the lack of a bridge.
Buy the ticket, take the ride.
Up 34 Down 24
Bruce Bark on Jan 23, 2024 at 8:15 pm
"For safety reasons residence of the community are reminded to avoid crossing the river by any method until a sanctioned ice bridge is in place" the government said.
What a ridiculous comment. Does this apply to every river in the Yukon, the Pelly, the Stewart, the White, Do we need a sanctioned ice bridge to go by snowmobile to have a picnic at Fort Selkirk on a nice Sunday family outing? I guess we need to ask the government if it's OK first. We need their expert advise, you know the ones who have spent their entire life in an office behind a desk. I think I'd rather ask a local, you know somebody who actually gets out on the land.
Up 14 Down 10
Yukon56 on Jan 23, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Get the Simpsons MONORAIL