Highway 16 has partially reopened to single-lane alternating traffic as of Sunday afternoon following a rock slide in the Rocky Mountains on Saturday morning. The debris from the slide is still obstructing one lane, causing delays for drivers and posing risks due to small rocks on the road. The exact time for full restoration of the highway remains uncertain.
The closure of Highway 16 occurred early Saturday due to the rock slide, forcing a shutdown from just west of Jasper, Alberta, extending into British Columbia. Authorities, including Mounties and Parks Canada, worked to clear the highway and redirect traffic without any reports of the slide causing vehicle damage or injuries. The closure spanned approximately 12 kilometers west of Jasper to Mount Robson Provincial Park in B.C., near the provincial border.
Measuring 30 meters in length, the rock slide completely blocked the highway on Saturday, with debris close to the Miette River as indicated by Alberta 511. Drivers were advised to seek alternative routes while cleanup operations and safety checks were underway. As of the latest update on Sunday afternoon, a definitive timeline for the full reopening of the highway was still unavailable.