This question was asked by a Russian TV crew, that plans to make a journey across Yakutia in the midst of April. A TV producer is pretty much anxious and thinking over what type of transport to rent – a car or helicopter. Well, it’s about time. According to last Friday’s news, there is the ice roads close schedule approved by State Motor Vehicle Inspectorate and the Russian Emercom.
So, the first date stated in the schedule is April 10. On this day, the ice road over the Vilyuj River will be closed officially. On April 15, ice roads around Yakutsk, i.e. in the vicinity of Nizhnyj Bestyakh and Kangalassy, are expected to be closed. Ice roads across Yana and Anabar rivers are to be locked up on May 1.
Closed roads will be marked by black coal dust, and there won’t be any road signs.
Official road closing means that the thickness of ice river cover is getting less than 70 cm and that makes ice driving insecure for trucks and heavy vehicles. When thickness is less 50 cm, light cars are not recommended to try driving across the river.
Certainly, some local take the risk and very often become the subjects of news in the column ‘Accidents.’ So, I can wish responsible driving only.
Be careful on roads.
PS. For the answer “When are ice roads open?” check the post Is it possible to cross the Lena River near Yakutsk in November?
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