Weather-related safety concerns stop Highway 97 rockslide work

SUMMERLAND – The winter weather today has put a stop to the work on the Highway 97 rockslide north of Summerland.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said in a media release says high winds and snowfall this afternoon, Feb. 12, has halted work on rockslide scaling and drilling operations due to safety concerns at the work site on Highway 97 between Summerland and Peachland.

The highway has been closed at the rockslide since Feb. 2 when a major slide covered most of the highway's four lanes. Work is expected to resume at first light tomorrow following a safety assessment and weather permitting.

The Callan Road detour below the slide site continues to provide an effective and efficient route around the highway closure.

The ministry warns drivers once work resumes to be aware of occasional stoppages in traffic for up to 45 minutes to allow blasting of rock. The speed limit through the 900 metre detour zone is 30 km/h.

There is still no estimated timeline for reopening the highway.

Drivers can check Drive BC for up-to-date information.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.