A section of Highway 7 west of Hope, B.C., remains closed following a significant rock slide, and the province estimates it will reopen on Nov. 27.
In a statement to CBC News, British Columbia’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said Sunday that rock scaling and slope stabilization work is ongoing at the site where more rocks continue to fall.
Crews are using the stabilization process to bring down additional loose rocks to ensure the area is safe, the ministry said.
Once the stabilization work is complete, crews will clear the debris and repair the “extensive damage” to the highway.
“Given the heavy volume of rock that fell, this may require base repairs in addition to replacing this section of pavement,” the statement reads.
Drive B.C., the province’s traveller information service, said the slide occurred Thursday evening between 7 Day Adventist Youth Camp Road and Ross Road, west of Hope.
Photos posted to social media by the Ministry of Transportation on Friday afternoon showed a power pole and lines down, along with large boulders. Shattered rocks covered both sides of the highway.
The closure means anyone travelling east and trying to reach Hope from the north side of the Fraser River will need to instead take Highway 1 on the south side.
The ministry says it will make efforts to prioritize access for emergency services through the site as soon as possible.