Communities in B.C.'s Okanagan grapple with highway disruption caused by rock slide

A major route connecting the Central and South Okanagan regions is expected to be closed for the entire Labour Day long weekend due to a recent rock slide.

Approximately 3,000 cubic metres of rocks fell onto Highway 97 between Callan Road and Okanagan Lake Provincial Park on Monday afternoon. Thestretch of highway, locatedabout five kilometres north of Summerland, B.C., has remained closed in both directions ever since.

B.C.'s Transportation Ministry hassaid the section of road is not expected to open before Labour Day. Geotechnical engineers continue to assess the site, the ministry said Thursday.

It isn't the first time a rock slide has blocked Highway 97 northof Summerland.

In 2008, the highway was closed for 19 daysaftera large fissure wasdiscovered on aslope above. There was one other rock slidein the area in 2014.

Dwayne Tannant, an engineering professor at theUniversity of British Columbia Okanaganwho specializes in geohazards, says he doesn't anticipate the stretch of road reopening for the long weekend due to ongoing instability of the nearby slope.

"Until recently, the slope has been stable, but now movement is occurring at a deeper fracture or fault zone behind that slope," Tannant said.

He says the closure could extendpast the long weekend.

"That's going to be a tremendous impact on the local community if it shuts down again for a couple of weeks," he said.

'Highway 97 is the backbone of our region'

The road closure happened just as travellersareexpectedto visitthe Central and South Okanagan regions during the Labour Day long weekend. Highway 97 is the quickest route for tourists to drive between communities in these regions, whether travelling southbound or northbound.

"Highway 97 is the backbone of our region," Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes said. "We need it for trade and tourism it's our lifeline."

Thomas Tumbach, an organic farm owner in Summerland, saysthe road closuremakes it difficult for customers to reach his farm.

"Our sales will decrease," Tumbach told host Sarah Penton on CBC's Radio West on Wednesday. "The crops have already been planted and harvested There's no other direction for them to go."

In the meantime, RCMP are suggesting driversuse alternate routes such as Highways 97C, 5A, 3, and 33 to bypass the closed section of Highway 97.

In addition, the Transportation Ministry has upgraded Peachland Forest Service Road to serve as an alternate route for those driving between Summerlandand Peachland. They've also enhanced the 201 Forest Service Road for those travellingbetweenPentictonand Kelowna.

The ministry has cautioned that these forest service roadsdon't meet usual highway standards.

"For drivers who choose to travel on those routes, the province urges preparation and patience drivers should fuel up, bring extra supplies, food and water, and note that conditions can change quickly. Drivers are encouraged to plan trips during daylight hours," the ministry wrote in a press release Thursday.

RCMPare also reminding people about the risks of using other forest service roads, including uneven terrain, wildfire hazards and limited cellular service.

"It's important to also have essential survival gear in case of emergencies," the police wrote in a press release Thursday.