Update June 29, 12:52 p.m.: All lanes of Whoop-Up Drive have now been re-opened and the detour has been removed.
The city says it has initiated a review of processes and operations to identify improvements and efficiencies in response to the incident. This review will inform changes that can be implemented in future events to minimize traffic disruption and improve traffic flow.
An accident in the westbound lanes of Whoop-Up Drive on Wednesday afternoon caused significant damage to the road, which will need to be repaired before it fully reopens.
According to the City of Lethbridge, Whoop-Up Drive remains closed at 5 Street South and a single lane heading west has opened and is accessible from the Scenic Drive off ramp.
Crews are expecting to have repairs completed by mid-day on Thursday so all lanes can reopen and in the meantime, the speed limit heading west is down to 60 km/h.
“Motorists will be detoured from 6Â Avenue South to 5Â Avenue South, via 5 Street South, to access the Scenic Drive off ramp,” reads a news release from the city. “From here, a single lane will remain open while repairs are being made.”
Traffic control is in place in the area and the city asks drivers to use caution. Drivers heading east on the road will be unaffected.
“The emergency gates built to flow traffic into the opposite lanes, when needed, will not be opened at this time because a single lane of traffic is now accessible on Whoop-Up and Crowsnest Trail is open,” the city says. “These gates were built to be used when no lanes of traffic were available for an extended period (four or more hours). Opening the gates would also limit traffic flow in the eastbound lanes from West Lethbridge into the downtown tomorrow morning.”
The city encourages drivers to use the Crowsnest Highway as an alternative route and to expect increased volume. The highway was closed down on Wednesday at the same time as Whoop-Up drive and has reopened.
