A major highway connecting the Lower Mainland with the province will have multiple closures over six weeks as crews work to secure rockfall.
Beginning April 17, stretches of Highway 1 near Hunter Creek outside of Hope will be the site of a significant rock scaling project, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The project stems after a September 2022 Flood Falls wildfire that burned in steep terrain above the Trans-Canada Highway, causing the eastbound lanes to be closed as firefighters worked to protect the road. A significant section of the highway was closed after rockfall and debris fell onto it.
A ministry spokesperson says the fire "consumed vegetation along the bluff that helped bind rocks together, creating an increased risk of rockfall."
To now secure the bluff, the Trans-Canada Highway will have multiple daily "short" closures in both directions near exit 160 at Hunter Creek Road during the six-week construction project.
"Drivers can expect 10 closures of 20 minutes a day from Monday to Saturday," says the spokesperson.
There will be work or closures on Sunday.
Closures will happen on the hour, beginning at 8 a.m., with the last closure at 6 p.m. On Friday afternoons, the last closure will be at 2 p.m.
"The closures will result in delays for travellers of 20 to 35 minutes to allow the safe removal of debris," says the spokesperson. "Longer delays are possible for unexpected issues."
There will be no closure on the Friday or Monday of the Victoria Day long weekend.
A detour has been set up on Highway 7.
