UPDATE: Highway 3A east of Castlegar was re-opened
By Nelson Daily Staff
Highway 3A east of Castlegar was re-opened in the early evening after the RCMP closed the road due to concerns the road was unstable for driving.
“Due to the high volume of rain, water from a creek near Lookout Road, above Highway 3A, was somehow diverted resulting in muddy water running downhill onto the highway,” Staff Sergeant Dan Seibel of Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment.
“To clarify, no actual mud slides have occurred in this area,” he added. “The highway was closed for precautionary reasons.”
Seibel said due to the high volume of rain, water from a creek near Lookout Road, above Highway 3A, was somehow diverted resulting in muddy water running downhill onto the highway.
This accumulation of rain and muddy water created a serious traffic hazard and potential for traffic collisions.
Further assessment has now been completed by a GeoTech and Highway Road Maintenance Crews.
Heavy rains forces closure of Highway 3A east of Castlegar
West Kootenay RCMP is urging the public not to use Highway 3A east of Castlegar due to rains that have made one of the lanes unstable said Staff Sergeant Dan Seibel of Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment.
“Due to very heavy rain/ muddy water accumulation, the Castlegar Fire Chief and Castlegar RCMP have closed Highway 3A between the Brilliant Dam viewing pullout and Lookout Road, Castlegar,” Seibel said in an emailed press release.
“It has been reported that one of the lanes of the road of Highway 3A near the Selkirk College has become unstable and the highway has just been closed in that area as well.”
“This situation is continuing to evolve and is subject to change,” he adds.
Seibel said various agencies have been detached to the problem area, including PEP, Department of Highways, YRB Road Maintenance.
Efforts are currently underway to have the area assessed but at this time it’s unknown how long the highway will remain closed.
Motorists are presently able to drive from Nelson south via Highway 6 to Salmo and then take Highway 3 to Trail to travel through to Castlegar or visa versa.
The Nelson Daily will update the situation as soon as information becomes available.
