Motorists were sent in all directions Friday afternoon after concerns about a potential landslide arose in Lake Country.
At 1:12 p.m., the new stretch of Highway 97 was closed by the RCMP because of reports of rock instability, and that was quickly followed by Pelmewash Parkway, the old highway, being shut down at 1:19 p.m. North-south traffic was forced on to Oyama Road on the east side of Wood Lake.
“Ministry staff went to the site, following reports of a possible rock slide event,” states the Ministry of Transportation.
“When they arrived, they found no changes to the slope or the ditch since the clean-up that occurred after a rock slide event March 10.”
Geotech engineers reviewed photos of the slope determined it to be safe.
By 2 p.m., Pelmewash Parkway was reopened to traffic and at 2:39 p.m., vehicles were once gain using the northbound lanes of Highway 97.
The RCMP gave the green light to southbound traffic on the highway at 2:56 p.m.
According to the ministry, if a rock slide was to occur, it would be contained in a ditch and behind a guardrail.
“There is no safety issue for the travelling public,” it states.
Besides the RCMP, Lake Country firefighters were also involved in redirecting traffic Friday.
