South Okanagan - Summerland Rockslide
Last updated on April 25, 2024
This section of highway was closed Aug. 28, 2023 because of a rockslide when approximately 3,000 cubic metres of material came down.
Highway 97 is generally OPEN to two lanes of traffic, one in each direction, subject to short scheduled and unscheduled closures.
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Oversize Loads
Daily traffic control on site. Typical travel delays observed are 2-3 minutes or less. Oversize loads are permitted through the site. These loads must be prescheduled prior to arrival with traffic control personnel on site.
Speed reduced to 50 km/hr through the slide site.
The contact for Traffic Control on site is 250-306-9483 – Traffic Control will want details of the width of the wide load for preplanning purposes.
Traffic Control MUST be contacted prior to arrival on site to arrange passage through. Additionally, if required (if there is no response from Traffic Control on site) you can contact AIM Roads 24 hour phone number at 1-866-222-4204. Piloting of loads greater than 3.2m will be done between the hours of 9PM and 5AM.
Blasting
As part of the plan to expedite the work, intermittent 20-minute closures will continue during non-peak hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), to support additional smaller blast events as needed.
Blasting will make short closures necessary. Closures for blasting can be expected regularly. The schedule is contingent on ground conditions which are revealed by previous blasts, and each blast requires varying degrees of preparation, so blasts may not occur on the same day each week. The public will be notified as early as possible prior to each blast through DriveBC.ca
The intent of the blasting operations is to remove slide material which could otherwise impact the roadway. After slide material is removed, stabilization operations, which will include the installation of bolts and rock anchors, will be carried out throughout the winter.
Ongoing work
Highway 97 will continue to support two lanes of traffic. The maintenance contractor will carry out regular maintenance to ensure these lanes remain open and safe to the travelling public.
Since the beginning of February, crews have been able to conduct larger “production blasts”, to bring down slide material. One of the recent blasts loosened approximately 5100m3 of material – the largest blast up to this point. The total unloaded amount which includes overburden and loose rock is estimated at about 35,500m3. Rock scalers have also been working at an area near the highway, directly above where the rockslide in August took place. This is a critical area which requires special attention to prevent future rock fall events at this location.
Geotechnical engineers continue to monitor the slide site for changes in ground conditions.
Drivers are reminded that this portion of the road may need to be closed again with limited notice if deemed unsafe. The site will be at greater likelihood of closure should heavy rainfall occur.
Drivers are asked to use caution, obey speed limits and follow directions of traffic-control personnel.
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Territorial Acknowledgement
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure acknowledges with respect and thanks that this endeavor is occurring within the traditional territories of the Syilx peoples represented by and with the assistance of the Okanagan Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band, Penticton Indian Band, Upper Nicola Band, Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands, and Westbank First Nation.
lim’limpt (Thank you)
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