Damage on Highway 6. (Photo Credit: TranBC)
Highway 6 is finally starting to stabilize after a mud slide cracked the road on February 18th.
The highway remains closed one kilometre west of Needles Ferry Dock since the slope is continuing to move, with ongoing risk of further failure. People from the ministry have been closely monitoring and recording the slope's movement, and an assessment earlier on Friday showed that the movement appears to be stabilizing.
(Photo Credit: TranBC)
This stabilization is positive, as it should allow officials to do exploratory work determining the best option for highway reconstruction. Likely causes of the slope instability are thought to be groundwater movement and high internal pore-water pressure.
Heavy equipment is mobilizing at the site, which is about 60 metres wide on the roadway and 200-300 metres long from top to bottom. Currently, a 2 km forest service road detour is in effect, which is managed by traffic control personnel 24/7 with single alternating traffic. The School District 10 buses through the area are using the detour as well.
Currently, there is no estimated time of re-opening for the highway, but you can check DriveBC and KelownaNow for the most up-to-date information.
(Photo Credit: TranBC)
(Photo Credit: TranBC)
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