More than 27,000 cubic metres of rock are being removed from the site of a rockslide that came down across HIghway 97 north of Summerland on Feb. 2, 2019
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/MInistry of Transportation and Infrastructure
February 26, 2019 - 1:07 PM
PENTICTON - Ministry workers have some good news and bad news with respect to efforts to clean up a stubborn rockslide that has closed a portion of Highway 97 north of Summerland for almost a month.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure spokesperson Danielle Pope said in a press release issued this afternoon, Feb. 26, work to clean up the slide has been continuing with good progress in the past week, and no further rock movement detected along the slide face.
However, the need to move additional rock has pushed the reopening of the highway back from its original anticipated reopening sometime this week.
The amount of rock being removed is approximately three times more than originally estimated, with work crews removing around 13,000 cubic metres of rock since the slide began. Survey crews estimate a further 14,000 cubic metres needs to be removed.
Pope says barring any further challenges such as severe weather or further rock movement, the highway should be reopening early next week.
The Callan Road detour continues to function and is providing an easy means around the slide site. Speed is limited to 30 km/h through the zone, with occasional stoppages to be expected should further blasting be required.
HIghway 97 north of Summerland was closed following a rockslide that occurred on Feb. 2. Work to clean up the debris was halted temporarily when a large crack appeared on the rock face a couple of weeks ago.
For more stories about the rockslide, visit this link.
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