6 hours Ago
The ice bridge that connects West Dawson residents to the main townsite of Dawson City, Yukon, is now closed for the season. The department of Highways and Public Works made the announcement on Monday. Brittany Cross, a spokesperson for the department, said typically the official ice crossing is closed a bit later in April, but warm weather and rain in the Dawson area in recent days forced an earlier closure.
"This weather has led to some standing water on the surface of the ice bridge and as a result the department had to close the bridge effective immediately," Cross said. Cross said barriers and signs have been erected at each end of the river crossing. Cross is encouraging people to follow the signs and stay off of the ice bridge unless told otherwise by the department.
"When deciding to close the ice bridge the government of Yukon always puts the safety of the travelling public first and so that's why we've closed it now," Cross said. The territorial government typically builds and maintains the official Yukon River ice crossing every winter, though some years it's not been possible because of ice conditions. Cross said people can get up-to-date information on Dawson's ice bridge at 511 Yukon, and the department of Highways and Public Works' social media pages.
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