News Release

Bridge Replacement Along the Chilkoot Trail

Date: May 8, 2019
Contact: Aric Baldwin, 907-983-9247

Skagway – Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is preparing to move a 62-feet long steel truss bridge. The move will take place as soon as weather allows. The bridge crosses a dynamic, unfordable, branch of the Taiya River at Mile 2.4 on the trail. The shoreline supporting the bridge is severely eroded on the east abutment. Park staff plan to move the bridge to a more established section of river, approximately 200-feet upstream from its current location. 

The work is expected to last 5 days. The trail north of the construction will be closed during the bridge relocation.  This construction is not expected to impact private businesses conducting commercial operations on the trail.

According to park Superintendent Jason Taylor “We are taking action, now, to address a safety concern, and to keep the bridge from washing out in the near future. Our primary goals are to ensure safe passage along the trail, and to keep the trail open for overnight visitor-use for both NPS and Parks Canada’s Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site.”

Coupled with the bridge’s relocation, 450-feet of new trail will be constructed to connect the new bridge site with the existing trail.