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Storm Fallout Closes Section Of Cabot Trail In Nova Scotia

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By NPT Staff - February 23rd, 2022
Some of the road damage on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Some of the current road damage on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park/Parks Canada

Parks Canada has closed a section of the Cabot Trail on North Mountain in Cape Breton Highlands National Park because of significant washouts and road undercuts from heavy rain and snowmelt.

The Feb. 18 closure of this vital route causes lengthy detours for residents and visitors and comes on the heels of a fall washout on another stretch of the Cabot Trail that caused nearly three weeks of road closures in November and December.

Road assessments and repairs continue.

“For approximately one kilometre, the road has large undercuts measuring 10 feet wide by 10-15 feet deep to bedrock on the mountain side,” the Nova Scotia park announced on Facebook. “Water flowing across the road and spilling over the steep valley has undermined the roadbed on the outslope side.”

An incident management team has set up a staging area for heavy machinery and workers at MacIntosh Brook, which remains closed. The barrier will remain at the park entrance due to heavy construction-related traffic.

Workers have been clearing ditches and rock debris from the road, controlling water and rerouting water flow to culverts. Engineers are assessing the road’s structural condition to determine next steps and timeline. Additional hard barriers and signage are planned at North Mountain and Lone Shieling to secure the work site.

Parks Canada road crews first reported that rainwater was overflowing the already snow-packed ditches in this area and undermining pavement in large sections. This caused washouts spanning the inside lane.

This part of the Cabot Trail has notoriously challenging roads, steep slopes and inclines, and weather that can change suddenly and drastically.

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