UPDATE: 10:42 a.m.
A closure on Westside Road has been opened to limited access.
The wash out three kilometres north of Fintry had closed the road Tuesday evening, but it was re-opened Wednesday morning.
Single-lane alternating traffic is being permitted.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure assessed the safety and slope stability of the area and determined to reopen the road with single lane alternating traffic. The road was closed due to a landslide that occurred Tuesday morning which caused a portion of the road to collapse.
Two properties at Ewings Landing below Westside Road remain under Evacuation Order (8645 Westside Road North and 8635 Ewings Landing Road). No residents have been displaced by the order. An evaluation and assessment of the slope stability above the two properties continues and when it is safe, the order will be rescinded.
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UPDATE: Tuesday 7:54 p.m.
The earth has given way under Westside Road, closing a portion of the main thoroughfare.
The road is closed in both directions three kilometres north of Fintry because of a wash out. No detours are available.
An update is expected around noon.
See Washout closes portion of Westside Road
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A portion of Westside Road near Ewings Landing has caved in, forcing an evacuation alert for two properties in the area.
“The northbound shoulder has eroded away,” said Steve Sirett, Okanagan-Shuswap district manager with the Ministry of Transportation. “Looks like from over saturation on the ground similar to what we’ve been seeing in other areas.”
The road is open, but only to single lane alternating traffic. Load restrictions to 50 per cent have also been put in place between Udell and Firwood roads.
A geotechnical engineer was on site Tuesday assessing the situation and will be making recommendations.
“We’ve already got crews ramping up and will begin repairs as soon as possible,” said Sirett, who couldn’t say how long exactly the work could take. “It could take some time before we’re open to two lanes of traffic.”
An evacuation alert was issued Tuesday at 12:35 p.m. for two properties (cabins) below Westside Road at Ewings Landing due to slope instability.
The properties under evacuation alert include:
8645 N Westside Road
8635 Westside Road
Residents in the area are advised to be ready to leave their home at a moment’s notice. They should be prepared to be away from their home for an extended period of time, make arrangements for pets, and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents.
RELATED: Evacuation order for Killiney Beach properties
Emergency Operations Centre staff are working with other response agencies to manage the situation and minimize the impacts; however, residents of the area should be prepared to obey a potential evacuation order.
Sand and sandbags are available to help Central Okanagan residents with their flood prevention preparations. The 15 sand and sandbag locations across the region can be found at cordemergency.ca/map.
