A recent rock slide in the Rocky Mountains resulted in the closure of Highway 16 to all traffic extending from just west of Jasper, Alberta, partially into British Columbia. Mounties assisted Parks Canada in clearing the highway and redirecting traffic following the incident early Saturday morning. Fortunately, there were no reports of vehicles being hit or injuries sustained as a result of the slide, according to Jasper RCMP.
The closure spanned approximately 12 kilometers west of the Jasper townsite to the Mount Robson Provincial Park area in British Columbia, near the interprovincial border, as indicated by Alberta and British Columbia transportation ministries. The rock slide, measuring 30 meters in length, completely obstructed the highway on Saturday, with debris located near the Miette River, as reported by Alberta 511. Authorities advised drivers to seek alternate routes while the highway remains blocked and safety evaluations are conducted.
By Sunday afternoon, Highway 16 had partially reopened for single-lane alternating traffic, although one lane remained blocked due to debris from the rock slide. Motorists were cautioned to anticipate delays and be vigilant for small rocks on the road. The exact timeline for the full reopening of this highway section remained uncertain.