Temporary closure planned at rock slide site on Highway 97

Work to clear the rubble from the Aug. 28 rock slide on Highway 97 will mean another temporary closure to the road along Okanagan Lake.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced Highway 97 will be closed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, as crews blast and clear rock.

The blasting is being done to remove the roughly 3,000 cubic metres of debris that fell at the site.

Additional blasting will be needed throughout November and into mid-December, and the ministry said it would be required to be done during daylight hours for worker safety purposes. The province will issue statements announcing further blasting and closures ahead of time.

Once the rock has all been cleared from the highway, slope stabilization work will begin. That, which includes installing bolts and rock anchors, is scheduled to begin in December.

The province added the two lanes of traffic would be supported throughout the winter, with a contractor carrying out regular maintenance to ensure Highway 97 is safe for the public.

Detours around the slide site on Trout Main and 201 Forest Service Roads will be maintained and remain open until further notice. People choosing to travel on those routes are advised to be prepared for the longer journey on a less manicured road with good winter tires and additional food, water and fuel.