A landslide closed both directions of Highway 97 north of Summerland on Aug. 28, 2023.
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August 29, 2023 - 6:00 PM
Alternate routes to get around the rock slide on Highway 97 north of Summerland are proving to be long, and sometimes dangerous.
A landslide blocked a section of Highway 97 north of Summerland again yesterday, Aug. 28. Currently there's no estimated time to reopen the highway and DriveBC is awaiting a geotechnical assessment. Until then, traffic is being diverted to other routes to keep drivers aways from the fallen rocks and debris.
Drivers are being sent by their GPS systems on routes that can take up to two hours to get from Penticton to Kelowna, with many drivers being sent down the 201 Forest Service Road.
That road is primarily used by the forestry industry and logging trucks, but diverted traffic is often sent there when there are landslides on Highway 97.
Many drivers gathered on Facebook to share their dismay at the road closure and their concerns for the inexperienced drivers being forced onto difficult roads like the 201.
Brianna Murray told INFOnews.ca she travels on the 201 several times a week, but she thinks inexperienced drivers should steer clear.
“We drove home yesterday on the 201 and noticed several trucks on the side of the road with flat tires,” she said. “Some people were driving too fast for road conditions and (the road was) extremely dusty with so much traffic. Driving through today I notice the 201 is mostly washboard already due to so much traffic from the highway closure.
“Honestly it’s a hazard driving home with all this traffic, people shouldn’t take that route if they aren’t experienced driving logging roads."
Unfortunately, commuters are left with few other options than to drive across diverted back roads. Although other services like water taxis are available, passengers will be looking at around a $900 fee to travel from Penticton to Kelowna by boat.
For the latest on the highway's status, go to DriveBC here.
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