Updated 8:45 a.m. Feb. 3
Drive BC reports Highway 97 remains closed in both directions between Callan Road and N Beach Road while rock scalers continue to monitor the slope. A detour for those needing to travel between Kelowna and Penticton is available via Highway 97 C, Highway 5A, Highway 3 and Highway 3A.
Drive BC’s next scheduled update on conditions at the site of the slide will be at noon.
Updated 7:50 p.m.
Highway 97 remains closed north of Summerland and a detour remains in effect.
An assessment in in progress. Rock scalers will continue observation overnight and work will continue in the morning.
Updated: 1:35 p.m.
DriveBC still reports both lanes of highway closed at crews are now on scene preparing the scene for rock blasting. Peachland Mayor Cindy Fortin has gotten on social media to share her thoughts.
Updated: 1 p.m.
According to DriveBC, the highway has not reopened.
Updated: 10:30 a.m.
A driver was on his way to Penticton when he captured the massive movement of rock onto Highway 97 on film.
“I was going to Penticton to deliver my work van to Skaha Ford for some repairs when this happened. Good thing I didn’t make it or I would have been stuck there all day, and Lori Pratley wouldn’t have been able to come pick me up. Whew, dodged that bullet!” said Dean Pratley, on his Facebook page.
Highway 97 remains closed in both directions, according to DriveBC. The next update is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Original: 8:56 a.m.
Highway 97 is closed north of Summerland following a rock slide.
The rock slide occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, between Callan Road and North Beach Road for 1.6 kilometres.
While lane closures were in effect on Thursday evening and on Friday, conditions have changed and a detour is now in effect.
Traffic is detoured to Highway 97C, Highway 5A, Highway 3A and Highway 3.
An assessment is in progress and a geotechnical engineer is en route to the site.
An update from DriveBC is expected around noon.
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