Rock stabilization work ‘poorly timed’

Road construction delays are never very popular, but one Vernon city councillor is questioning why rock scaling work on Eastside Road was done during the summer months.

“Rock scaling work during our two busiest tourist months, July and August, seems poorly timed,” said Brian Quiring. “This should have been done in September or October.”

Work happened in three locations this summer to dislodge any unsafe rocks and debris on steep slopes near the roadway to Ellison Provincial Park and numerous vacation homes. The scaling resulted in 20 to 30 minute delays but some were much shorter than scheduled.

According to city staff, the timing was in part due to expected lower tourist volume due to COVID-19 and the availability of the contractor doing the work.