UPDATE Pelmewash Parkway set to reopen after rock slide
UPDATE 4:45 p.m.
Pelmewash Parkway in Lake Country will reopen to vehicles at 6 p.m. tonight after debris from a rock slide was removed.
A rock catchment berm is being built in the area where the slide occurred in order to provide further protection.
The slope stability was assessed by a geo-technical engineer on site.
The following is from a District of Lake Country news release:
“We share the sentiments of the community and are glad no one was injured in Wednesday’s rockslide on Pelmewash Parkway. Members of the community want to feel safe and know that the District is taking appropriate action to provide a safe mobility network.
Natural hazards like rockslides, wildfires and floods are part of our life in the Okanagan. More frequent freeze/thaw cycles this winter have resulted in rocks falling from various natural slopes throughout the community and the Roads and Parks teams have been monitoring these closely – not only along Pelmewash Parkway, but throughout the District (e.g. places like MP Williams hill on Oyama Road, Okanagan Centre Road West north of Lakestone and along the rail trail).
As part of the District of Lake Country’s operations and service to the community, there are different tactics for addressing natural hazards which require monitoring, maintenance, mitigation and response.’
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UPDATE Feb. 4
Pelmewash Parkway, which is the former highway in Lake Country, remains closed until further notice after a rockfall around 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.
The District of Lake Country says the debris from the “sizeable rockfall” has been cleared and a geo-technical study on slope stability is underway to determine when the road will be safe to use again.
Emergency first responders (fire, police, ambulance) as well as transit buses are still able to use the road under the direction of flag personnel.
Residents of Ponderosa are able to access the neighbourhood via the south end of Pelmewash Parkway from Winfield, heeding the direction of flag personnel on site. Residents of the Cornwall/Highlands area are able to access the neighbourhood via the north end of Pelmewash Parkway from Oyama Rd or Hwy 97.
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Feb. 3 story
Pelmewash Parkway in Lake Country is closed between Ponderosa and Teddy Bear Lodge because of a rock slide.
The District of Lake Country posted the following notice on its website:
Please be advised that Pelmewash Parkway is now fully CLOSED due to a rock slide Wednesday afternoon, February 3. (approx. 3:15 pm near the canoe sculpture)
District of Lake Country Roads crew is on site. Please take alternate route (Hwy 97 or Oyama Rd between Winfield and Oyama).
Further updates will be provided as soon as additional information is available.
The road used to be the former highway between Winfield and Oyama, but was turned into a municipal road when the new highway opened in 2013.