Sinkhole Disrupts Traffic On Highway 97 In Vernon

Update 12 pm:

There is still no word when a large sinkhole on Highway 97 In Vernon may be able to be repaired.

The hole emerged Tuesday afternoon at the bottom of Hospital Hill in the northbound lanes, caused by an issue with the creek culvert going under the road.

The hole initially measured about four feet on the surface, but was much larger underground.

The site was shut down to vehicles at the time, but the southbound lanes reopened to single lane traffic overnight, which will be the case until further notice.

Kiss FM is expecting an update to be issued later today by the Ministry of Transportation.

Photo by Russ Bythe

Motorists can get through on Highway 97 this morning at the foot of Hospital Hill in Vernon, but it’s going to be slow.

A sinkhole that appeared yesterday afternoon is now a giant hole in the northbound lanes after Transportation Ministry crews dug it out.

Traffic this morning is being directed into the southbound lanes, with one lane of traffic each way.

The sidewalk next to the northbound lanes is closed to pedestrians.

There’s no telling how long this will continue as the Ministry studies what happened and what repairs need to be done.

The ground next to the creek culvert in Polson Park was undermined, likely leading to the collapse.

Vernon Fire Rescue Captain Reinhard Mann said after arriving he was surprised to see how large the hole actually was.

On the surface, it wasn’t more than a few feet, but underneath it was about 12 by 40 feet.

He said he was surprised no vehicles had been caught in it.

No one was hurt in the incident.