It could be a few more weeks before two roads in the BX are reopened.
On June 9, heavy rainfall caused BX Creek to overflow and damage was done to culverts at Tillicum and East Vernon roads. They have been closed since then, creating an inconvenience for residents.
“We expect the work to be completed in August,” says a Ministry of Transportation statement in regards to the repairs required.
Mike Macnabb, a Regional District of North Okanagan director, has been frustrated with the situation.
“It’s a public safety issue,” he said of firefighters being unable to take the most efficient route to an emergency.
“There’s also the concern that if there was a wildfire, it would limit the route out of the area for residents.”
Macnabb isn’t sure why it’s taken the ministry so long to move ahead with the work.
“Perhaps they weren’t aware of the urgency,” he said.
However, the ministry says the scope of the high-water damage is significant.
At Tillicum Road, a stump blocked the culvert entrance under the road, causing water to flow over the highway and around the inlet of the culvert.
At East Vernon Road, a high volume of water overwhelmed the culvert, undermining the road bed.
“Until the water level dropped, the damage couldn’t be assessed by the ministry’s geotechnical engineer,” says the ministry statement.
“Water levels have now dropped and assessments have taken place. The ministry wants to ensure that the damaged areas are repaired with added protection to avoid a recurrence.”
On Tillicum Road, the Ministry of Transportation is considering a concrete collar around the culvert to further protect it from erosion.
At East Vernon Road, the outlet headwall was undermined and damaged by flooding.
“The ministry is investigating potential options to improve or replace some of the damaged infrastructure,” says the statement.
Macnabb is waiting to see crews on scene.
“The good news is there is action but I’m not sure when it will be completed,” he said.
