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Telegraph Creek road washed out, no timetable to re-open

Geotechnical engineers are on-site
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The road to Telegraph Creek (Hwy 51) is closed due to a washout. There is no timeline to reopen the road and no detour is available.(BC Transportation and Infrastructure/Facebook)

The road to Telegraph Creek is closed due to a washout that took place in the late afternoon on April 14.

According to a Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure media release, reports point to a release of water from a lake above Hwy 51 caused by heavy snow melt in the area.

Geotechnical engineers are on-site and contractor equipment has been mobilized to begin repairs when it is safe to do so. Currently there is no information on when the road will be re-opened for traffic, and there is no detour.

On the morning of April 15, the Tahltan Band Council (TBC) had an emergency management committee meeting, and collected data about the number of people in the community as well as fuel and food supplies. Health and social leads started contacting residents in the community to determine their needs and to make sure that supplies of medication and personal supplies are adequate.

The Telegraph Creek Airport and helipad behind the local health centre have been cleared for use if needed, and the TBC is making arrangements for workers and community members that need to enter or exit the community, according to a TBC media release.

The ministry is in close contact with the Tahltan Nation, Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, RCMP and Emergency Management BC on possible fixes, timelines and impact to the road.

READ MORE: Major upgrades coming to Dease Lake Airport