UPDATE (10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 2): Highway 16 eastbound is now reopened. RCMP say the westbound lane remains affected. Yellowhead County has also clarified that there was no direct damage to any nearby pipelines. Read update here.
A pipeline explosion has sparked a grass fire and made a section of Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) impassable west of Edson as of Monday afternoon.
Edson RCMP, along with fire crews, are currently on scene.
The highway is closed between Range Road 192 and Highway 47, and motorists are asked to seek alternate routes and avoid the area.
Police say the cause of the explosion is unknown at this time.
Motorists can monitor 511 Alberta for up-to-date road conditions.
As of Monday afternoon, no estimated time of reopening was provided.
The story will be updated when more information is available.
