UPDATE 2:30 p.m. Nov. 11: Highway 99 has reopened to traffic after being closed at the 10 Mile Slide site following slide movement and obstructions in the area. Drivers are advised to drive carefully when travelling through the area, and watch out for work crews.
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UPDATE 5 p.m.: Highway 99 remains closed between Fountain Valley Road and Sallus Creek Road, 15km north of Lillooet.
Accelerated movement over the last 24 hours at the 10 Mile Slide site has reduced safety, leading the Ministry of Highways to proactively close part of the highway in both directions.
Ministry staff and geotechnical engineers continue to monitor activity at the site using electronic monitoring equipment. The road will be reopened once movement has subsided and Highway 99 is once again safe for travel.
A $60-million slope stabilization project is underway at this location, which has experienced ongoing slide activity for several decades. This has severely affected the Xaxli͛p community, local businesses, the trucking and tourism industries, and the general public.
Work includes installing tied-back concrete and composite piles below the highway, 200 soil anchors above the highway and reconstructing the highway to two lanes with a guardrail.
The stabilization project, which will improve the long-term safety and reliability at this location, is expected to be completed in spring 2021.
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Highway 99 north of Lillooet is currently closed in both directions due to movement at the 10 Mile slide site.
DriveBC is reporting that there is an obstruction on the highway between Fountain Valley Road and Sallus Creek Road (15 km north of Lillooet).
An alternate route is Highway 12, Highway 1, and Highway 97. The next update will be on Monday, Nov. 11 at noon.
For information and updates go to www.drivebc.ca.
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