Cars in line for single-lane alternating traffic on Highway 97 north of Summerland following a rockslide.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Province of BC
September 21, 2023 - 3:00 PM
Some good news for those making the very slow commute on Highway 97 in the Okanagan.
Highway 97 just north of Summerland will open to two-lane traffic, one in each direction, starting at noon tomorrow, Sept. 22, according to a Ministry of Transportation media release.
The route was completed closed on Aug. 28, due to a rockslide. On Sept. 11, it opened to single-lane alternating traffic.
The ministry says crews have finished temporary work so another lane of traffic will be opened.
Workers built a lock-block wall to prevent rockslides like this one in the future, as well as a 150-metre berm between the protecting wall and the cliff.
Work on stabilizing the slope and monitoring it for any changes which might lead to another rockslide.
The ministry says the road may need to be shut down again on short notice if there is a chance of another rockslide.
You can check on road closures at DriveBC.
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