Site of landslide and highway closure north of Summerland shown in red. (Image credit: DriveBC)

By Pete McIntyre

Okanagan

UPDATE: Highway 97 still closed due to landslide, local detour in works

Aug 30, 2023 | 5:00 PM

UPDATE 5 p.m.

The Transportation Ministry told Global News is is working on providing a forest service road as a local detour around the Highway 97 closure north of Summerland, which could be ready for use by Thursday evening.

A ministry spokesman gave no timeline on reopening the highway, other than it will be several more days as assessments continue.

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The following is a news release issued by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure at 5 p.m. Aug. 30, 2023

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Highway 97 remains closed north of Summerland; assessments underway

SUMMERLAND – Highway 97 between Callan Road and Okanagan Lake Provincial Park north of Summerland remains closed in both directions due to a rockslide.

The rockslide occurred Monday, Aug. 28 at about 2 pm. Approximately 3,000 cubic metres of material came down. There were no reports of injuries or property damage in the area.

The highway will remain closed until further notice as an aerial geotechnical assessment has identified a risk of further rockfall. Geotechnical engineers are completing a thorough investigation of the area, which will determine a timeline for reopening. A detailed assessment and development of remediation options is anticipated to take several days. That section of Highway 97 is not expected to open before Labour Day.

The recommended alternate routes are highways 97C, 5A, 3 or 33. The back route detours are not recommended as an alternate route, particularly during darkness and without a full tank of gas, food and water. The ministry is working with partners to prepare safe, reliable detour routes for the public by grading them and providing directional signage.

UPDATE: Aug. 30, 2023
12 p.m.

B.C.’s Transportation Ministry is giving no indication when Highway 97 between Peachland and Summerland may reopen.

A landslide has closed that section since Monday night, and a geotechnical assessment is being conducted.

Drive BC will issue its next update Thursday at 8 a.m., and because there is no local detour, motorists are having to take one of several alternative routes on Highways 97C, 5A, and 3 or Highway 33.

UPDATE: Aug. 30, 2023
8:20 a.m.

Drive BC says Highway 97 remains closed north of Summerland due to a landslide.

The closed area is between Callan Road and Okanagan Lake Provincial Park for 1.6 km.

A geotechnical assessment is being conducted.

No further details have been provided.

There is no detour, and drivers are having to use Highways 97C, 5A, and 3 or Highway 33 as alternative routes.

Aug. 29, 2023 
Highway 97 closed due to landslide

Drive BC expects to issue another update at 8 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 30) on the closure of Highway 97 between Peachland and Summerland due to a landslide.

The closed area is between Callan Road and Okanagan Lake Provincial Park for 1.6 km.

The section has been closed since Monday night, and is undergoing a geotechnical assessment.

There is no detour, and drivers are having to use Highways 97C, 5A, and 3 or Highway 33 as alternative routes.

Check Drive BC for updates here.