Major Highway 97 blasting complete

SUMMERLAND, B.C. – Major blasting to remove unstable material above Highway 97 north of Summerland, B.C., is now complete.

More than 46,500 cubic metres of material has been removed from the slope since an August 2023 rockfall, a provincial government release said.

With the end of major blasting, which was only possible during daylight for safety reasons, crews are working 24-hour shifts with a focus on stabilizing the slope with rock bolting.

The progress is also allowing crews to shorten the length of the construction zone and allow four-lane traffic at the south end of the site from Callan Road to Summerland during the summer, the release said.

Two lanes of traffic (one lane in each direction) will continue through the main slide-area work zone. Drivers are asked to use caution and obey the construction zone speed limits and traffic-control personnel.

The zone remains an active slide area and conditions can change quickly, the release warned.