Unstable rockface closes Okanagan highway indefinitely

The main highway between Kelowna and Penticton through B.C.'s Okanagan Valley will remain closed indefinitely after geotechical experts determined a large slab of unstable rock above the road is still moving.

LastWednesday, engineers discovered a huge crack in the slope above the section of Highway 97 between Summerland and Peachland while crews were working on a road-widening project.

The highway was closedFriday when it became clear the crack was expanding, and the movement was monitored closely over the weekend.

On Monday afternoon, officials said the situation is extremely serious since the rock face is moving very slowly and they can't predict when the highway will reopen.

In the meantime, cars and small trucks wanting to travel between Kelowna and Pentictionhave the option of detouring along the Okanagan Falls forest service road to Highway 33.

Vehicles weighing over 27 tonnes will have to use another route via highways 97C, 5A, 3, and 3A.