Update: Another Route To Summerland

UPDATE: Feb. 8, 2:05 p.m.

The Ministry of Transportation says another route is now available for drivers who are trying to get around the Highway 97 slide closure north of Summerland and this one is on the west side of Okanagan Lake.

According to information from the ministry, the Trout Creek Forest Service Road between Peachland and Summerland, is now available to drivers of light vehicles (five tons or less).

This option to travel between the local communities between Summerland and Peachland will be approximately 45 minutes faster than using the 201 Forest Service Road.

The full route includes: the Princeton Summerland Road west of Summerland, the Trout Creek Forest Service Road and the Peachland Forest Service Road to Princeton Avenue in Peachland.

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The route has been graded and sanded, and signage is in place.

The speed limit is 50 km/h. Drivers using this route should have good winter tires, obey the speed limit and drive with caution.

The ministry emphasizes the route is available to passenger vehicles only. Commercial vehicles must detour using highways 97C, 5A, 3 and 3A.

For people travelling between Penticton and Kelowna, the 201 Forest Service Road is still the fastest alternate route.

Work continues on construction at Callan Road, which will eventually provide a two-lane detour around the Highway 97 slide site.

The detour, when complete, will accommodate commercial vehicles.

Staff are working two ten-hour shifts however the Callan Road detour is not expected to open until early next week, assuming there are no unexpected challenges that arise, the ministry says.

Update:

There are plans for a shorter detour around the Summerland rock slide, but it could take up to five days to get it ready.

The Transportation Ministry will add a bypass on Callan Road, which is expected to add 10 to 15 minutes to the normal driving time to or from Kelowna.

Vehicles currently have to use a forest service road or other highways, adding an extra 90 minutes to three hours to the trip.

1 pm

There is still no estimate on when Highway 97 near Summerland could reopen.

The Transportation Ministry says there is stability concerns at the rock slide site with monitoring in progress.

Drivers are having to use a forest service road or several highways to get around the site, taking an extra 90 minutes to three hours.

Drive BC says its next update will be at 2 this afternoon.

Feb. 6

Highway 97 between Peachland and Summerland will not reopen today.

The Transportation Ministry says a serious crack was found at the rockslide site north of Summerland this morning, and rock scaling crews have had to leave for safety reasons.

Geo-technical engineers are using a helicopter to determine when work can safely resume, with no estimate on a reopening.

The road has been closed for five days, with motorists having to take lengthy detours to get between Kelowna and Penticton.

Feb. 5

The Ministry of Transportation says it’s hoping to have Highway 97 north of Summerland reopened Wednesday afternoon.

The ministry says that will depend on the progress crews make to stabilize the site today.

The highway has been closed for four days after a rockslide, causing major detours for vehicles.

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Feb. 3

Drivers are advised that Highway 97 remains closed to traffic in both directions due to a significant rock fall near Callan Road north of Summerland.

The highway is anticipated to be closed for an extended period of time due to continued instability at the site. Ministry staff are working to have Highway 97 reopened to traffic as soon as it is safe to do so.

In the meantime, an alternate route between Penticton and Kelowna is available for light vehicles (five tons or less), using the 201 Forest Service Road. This is accessed off Highway 33 near McCollough Road near Kelowna, and via Warren Avenue/Carmi Avenue in Penticton.

Drivers using this route can expect up to 90 minutes of additional travel time compared to normal travel time between Summerland and Peachland on Highway 97. Travel using other alternate unmaintained routes is not recommended and is being discouraged for safety reasons.

Heavier vehicles and commercial trucks are required to detour via Highway 97C, Highway 5A and Highway 3A to Highway 3.

Drivers are reminded to slow down and drive with caution when using the two-lane 201 Forest Service Road, and to check DriveBC.ca and @DriveBC on Twitter for updates on the Highway 97 closure.

Road maintenance vehicles will be actively working on this route to ensure safe road conditions.

The ministry understands the inconvenience to drivers, and appreciates peoples’ patience as crews work to ensure the road is safe for reopening as soon as possible.

RCMP in the Central Okanagan are urging Okanagan drivers to consider taking the appropriate detour around the closure of Highway 97 between Summerland and Peachland, after multiple motorists have become stranded on back country roads.

RCMP in both West Kelowna and Kelowna have been kept busy Saturday afternoon and into the evening responding to calls for service, where travelers have found themselves stranded on unplowed, and in some cases washed out back roads.

“In one particular case, a woman called 911 after her full size pickup truck became stuck in deep snow along Garnet Valley Road, which runs between Summerland and Peachland,” states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey of the Kelowna RCMP. “Emergency crews were able to eventually reach the woman, who was not prepared to spend the night in her vehicle.”

While rescuing motorists from the back country, officers encountered and turned around dozens of other vehicles. “Almost everyone headed that way told our officers that Google maps reported the roads as well-groomed and the fastest, most direct route to their destination,” further states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

“We would also like to thank our local Central Okanagan Search and Rescue volunteers who have assisted police with reaching motorists and extracting them safely,” adds Cpl. O’Donaghey.

RCMP strongly recommend that all motorist closely monitor the Drive BC website and abide by the detour routes suggested by Drive BC officials.

According to the Drive BC website, Highway 97 remains closed in both directions between Peachland and Summerland. A detour remains in effect. Motorists are to detour via Highway 97 C, the Okanagan Connector, Highway 5A and Highway 3A to Highway 3.

Photo: Global News