UPDATED 9:30 p.m.:
Westside Road has been washed out 6.5 kilometres south of the Vernon junction.
The road is reduced to single-lane alternating traffic with minor delays approximately 6.5 kilometres sough of the Highway 97 north junction.
Check back for updates as they become available.
UPDATED 3:15 p.m.:
Westside Road is now open in both directions, but further closures could be looming.
Drive BC reports the wash out three kilometres north of Fintry is now clear.
Meanwhile the Okanagan Indian Band says there is another potential closure.
“Westside Road is at risk of washing out by the old mill site (Newport Beach), roughly five kilometres south of the Okanagan Band Office,” said Victor Rumbolt, executive director.
The road may become closed should water levels continue to rise.
The Okanagan Band is working closely with the Ministry of Transportation and actively monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile motorists are advised that work will be starting Thursday to repair the road near Fintry.
During construction, Westside Road will be open to single-lane alternating traffic.
“Please watch for crews and expect delays,” DriveBC advises.
UPDATED WEDNESDAY, MAY, 9, 12:15 p.m.:
The Ministry of Transportation is advising motorists to check DriveBC for updates on Westside Road, which is closed in both directions, approximately three kilometres north of Fintry Provincial Park.
To ensure the safety of travellers, the ministry said the closure was put in place because of heavy rainfall and the potential of road failure. There is no detour, and no estimated time of reopening.
The ministry’s geotechnical staff are assessing the area, and will determine when the road is safe to open.
“Peoples’ safety is our top priority, and we are doing everything possible to maintain safe road conditions,” said the ministry in an e-mail to Black Press. “Several side roads have washed out in the Okanagan-Shuswap district, however, no residents have been cut off by these closures. The ministry will continue to coordinate emergency response efforts with all local governments and regional districts to support these communities.”
UPDATED WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 10:30 a.m.:
Westside Road may be shut in both directions for at least 24 hours three kilometres north of Fintry.
The road washed out due to heavy rain Wednesday morning.
“It’s the same site where a piece of road broke away near Ewings Landing,” said Wayne Carson, Central Okanagan West director with the Region District of Central Okanagan.
“With all of the rain, officials are quite concerned about the state of the road.”
Carson said geotech engineers will soon be on-site to discuss the road and the situation.
“The road may be closed until tomorrow,” said Carson.
ORIGINAL STORY
There’s been another washout on Westside Road.
The winding connection between Vernon and Kelowna is closed in both directions three kilometres north of Fintry, according to the latest from DriveBC.
READ MORE: PORTION OF WESTSIDE ROAD CAVES
There is no estimated time of opening and an assessment is in progress.
An update is expected at 10 a.m. More to come.
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