Protecting the Escarpment and Robert Service Way from the impacts of climate change

News Release via Infrastructure Canada (link)

Whitehorse, Yukon, May 6, 2024 — The Whitehorse Escarpment is experiencing the impacts of climate change and affecting the lives of Yukoners. To mitigate the effects of groundwater seepage causing landslides, the federal government is investing more than $45 million.

Announced by Minister Harjit Sajjan and Mayor Laura Cabott, this work will help protect the land beneath the Erik Nielson Whitehorse International Airport that’s at the top of the escarpment and the main arterial road, Robert Service Way at the base. This road connects the Alaska Highway to the southern entrance of downtown Whitehorse.

Helping to protect the escarpment from future landslides means residents of Whitehorse and surrounding areas will be safe, be able to keep access to essential services, use the Millennium Trail safely, and get to where they need to go without delays from road closures.

To address the reoccurrence of landslides and improve the community’s resilience to the impacts of climate change, Robert Service Way and the Millennium Trail will also be moved further from the base of the Whitehorse Escarpment. Other components of this project include regrading the slope, supporting revegetation, and expanding the debris barrier and implementing anti-erosion measures such as removing rocks and dirt.

Making adaptation investments now will have major economy-wide benefits later. Every dollar of that is invested to adapt and prepare for climate-related landslides along the Whitehorse Escarpment will see more than a doubling in financial benefits.

“The City is excited to be able to move forward with this very significant project. Robert Service Way is a major transportation route for our City – one of just a couple of ways in and out of downtown Whitehorse – serving our residents with a convenient way to get to school, work and many other important places every day. This funding means we can go ahead with our plan to address the landslides that have impacted this road in recent years. I want to thank the Government of Canada for recognizing the importance of this major project and also recognize city staff and contractors for their proactive work to keep the area safe. As we continue to deal with the impacts of climate change, it is important we remain proactive in our efforts.”

Her Worship Laura Cabott, Mayor of Whitehorse