Highway 16 has reopened to single-lane traffic following emergency repair work at a washout near Jungle Beach that had cut off road access between Skidegate, Daajing Giids, and communities north of Lawn Hill.
The washout removed a section of roadway between Lawnhill Road and Miller Road, approximately 8 to 13 kilometres west of Skidegate. The closure, which began Sunday, left Lawn Hill, Tlell, and northern communities isolated by road, with no detour available.
O’Brien’s Road and Bridge Maintenance confirmed Tuesday evening that crews completed stabilization and repair work after water levels dropped enough to allow debris removal and reconstruction of the damaged section. Repairs were carried out under the direction of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The highway reopened with single-lane alternating traffic following final safety checks.
The cause of the washout remains under investigation. O’Brien’s said heavy rainfall was a contributing factor, and a more detailed assessment will determine any longer-term repair requirements.
Earlier Tuesday, Tamara Davidson said crews initially prepared a temporary bridge structure but were able to shift to installing a culvert after water levels dropped, allowing the road to reopen sooner.
Provincial ministries and local communities coordinated response efforts during the closure, which triggered emergency planning across Haida Gwaii.
While Highway 16 has reopened, the Queen Charlotte mainline between Daajing Giids and Port Clements remains closed.
Taan Forest said sections of the Queen Charlotte mainline are still impassable due to flooding along the Yakoun River. A known landslide area at the 27-kilometre mark remains unsafe to assess, and additional flooding at the 35-kilometre mark continues to block access. Crews will continue monitoring conditions to determine when those routes can reopen.
During the closure, OMVC Emergency Services activated an Emergency Operations Centre at Level 1 and coordinated with the Village of Masset. Food trucks were staged in Skidegate while contingency plans were developed to move supplies north if required. First Nations Health Authority also had a helicopter on standby for medical emergencies.
Community spaces were opened to support stranded travellers. Sk’aadgaa Naay Elementary School provided a warm place to wait with food and coffee, while the Skidegate Band Council coordinated accommodation options in southern communities. Ocean House and several local bed-and-breakfasts also offered rooms.
Drivers are advised to expect single-lane alternating traffic, reduced speeds, and potential delays through the repair zone, and to continue monitoring DriveBC for current travel conditions.
