British Columbia

Highway 99 reopens after closure due to slope movement north of Lillooet

Highway 99 has reopened in both directions after it was closed Sunday due to ongoing slope movement in a historically-challenging section of the highway known as "Ten Mile Slide" or "Fountain Slide," north of Lillooet.

Accelerated movement over the weekend reduced safety, says ministry

Looking southwest at Highway 99 near Fountain Slide, about 15 kilometres north of Lillooet, B.C., on Monday morning. The road has reopened in both directions Monday due to ongoing slope movement in the area. (DriveBC)

Highway 99 has reopened in both directions after it was closed Sunday due to ongoing slope movement in a historically-challenging section of the highway known as "Ten Mile Slide" or "Fountain Slide," north of Lillooet.

The Ministry of Transportation said Sunday that accelerated movement over the weekend reduced safety in the area. A statement from the ministry said it proactively blocked off the highway between Fountain Valley Road and Sallus Creek Road, 15 kilometres north of Lillooet.

The ministry said geotechnical engineers were monitoring activity at the site and the road would be reopened once movement has subsided. The province added that a $60-million project is ongoing to stabilize the location which has experienced slide activity for decades. It is expected to be completed in Spring 2021.

In October 2016, a slow-moving landslide in the area kept the route closed for over a week.

In B.C.'s Boundary region, one lane of Highway 3 was closed between Rock Creek and Midway for several hours Sunday because of a vehicle collision. The road reopened around 11 p.m. PT.