A stretch of road around Okanagan Lake that was closed due to a significant landslide last week reopened ahead of schedule Sunday, but drivers are being urged to exercise caution and expect delays.
The slide occurred on April 1 on Westside Road between Denison Road and Main Street – approximately 13 kilometres east of West Kelowna.
The road has reopened to single alternating traffic as repairs continue on the damage caused by a “significant washout,” according to B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation.
“Travellers can expect delays and short closures of as much as 20 minutes at a time. No stopping will be permitted within the slide area at any time, and the road will be closed if rainfall exceeds threshold levels,” a statement from the ministry said.
“The ministry continues to collaborate with local governments, Indigenous communities and stakeholders to ensure a co-ordinated and safe approach to the repairs.”
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre noted the area was heavily damaged by the McDougall Creek wildfire in 2023. No structures were damaged or lost and no injuries were reported as a result of the slide.
The day after the slide, crews with Central Okanagan Search and Rescue combed through the debris to ensure no one from a homeless encampment in the area had been injured, killed or trapped.
