Highway 33 could reopen tonight

Transportation Ministry reports good progress repairing section of highway washed out Tuesday

Crews are making progress rebuilding part of Highway 33 that washed away early Tuesday morning, says the B.C. Ministry of Transportation.

The washout occurred just south of the Mile 8 hairpin curve.

A six-kilometre section of the highway was closed in both directions from Goudie Road to Cardinal Creek Road, 22 kilometres east of the junction of Highway 33 and Highway 97.

As of Thursday afternoon, the road remained closed, but Drive BC estimated the road would be open at 7 p.m. today.

During the closure, a detour was available via Goudie Road and Cardinal Creek Road.

The ministry restricted all commercial vehicles from taking the detour because of safety issues, forcing them to use Highway 97 and Highway 3 through Osoyoos.

“Our geotechnical team continues to assess the area and will determine when it is safe to at least partially open the road to vehicle traffic,” the ministry said in an email Thursday. “The ministry appreciates the patience of residents, drivers and commercial vehicle operators while we complete this important work to ensure the area is repaired and safe for travel.”

Three excavators, one loader and six trucks were on site Thursday, repairing the road.

On Wednesday, the ministry said continual water seepage and an extremely saturated ground were making repairs difficult.

“The work was initially challenging due to the saturated ground, but good progress is being made,” it said Thursday.

Higher-than-average snowpack in the Okanagan is increasing the risk of mudslides and washouts, the ministry said.

“Ministry staff are doing everything possible to maintain safe conditions and minimize road closures.”