Hwy 97 is now back to 2-lane traffic near Summerland 25 days after rock slide

Things are slowly getting back to normal at the site of the Hwy 97 rock slide near Summerland.

The Ministry of Transportation has reopened the route to two lanes of traffic, one in each direction, as of noon today.

“Crews have completed temporary work to allow traffic access through the site,” the Ministry explains.

The route was fully closed for two weeks following the Aug. 28 rockslide, the third major slide of the year in the area, and has been operating with single-lane alternating traffic since Sept. 11.

Contractors have built a lock-block wall to protect the highway from falling rock, while a 150-metre berm between the lock-block wall and bottom of the slope was constructed to temporarily address slope movement.

“Construction of permanent stabilization measures will continue,” the Ministry noted. “Geotechnical engineers continue to monitor the slide site for changes in ground conditions.”

While the move to two-lane traffic will significantly reduce delays at the site, the Ministry says the road may need to be closed again, with limited notice, if the situation is deemed unsafe.

The site has a greater likelihood of closure should heavy rainfall occur.