A substantial rockslide in Sinclair Canyon has prompted the immediate closure of BC Highway 93S within Kootenay National Park and the popular Radium Hot Springs pools. The incident occurred on Wednesday, with authorities confirming that no injuries have been reported as a result of the event.
Emergency Response and Closures
Parks Canada is actively responding to the rockslide, as announced on the Kootenay National Park Facebook page. The highway is currently closed in both directions between the Kootenay National Park west boundary and the McKay Creek Operations Centre. To mitigate travel disruptions, a detour has been established via BC Highway 95 and Highway 1 through Yoho National Park.
Impact on Local Attractions
Concurrently, the Radium Hot Springs pools will remain closed until the highway reopens, affecting visitors and local tourism. Slope stabilization and debris removal efforts are now underway, following a thorough assessment by engineers to ensure safety protocols are met.
Expected Duration of Closures
Both BC Highway 93S and the Radium Hot Springs pools are anticipated to remain closed until Thursday afternoon, pending the completion of cleanup and stabilization work. This timeline is subject to change based on ongoing evaluations and weather conditions.
The swift response from Parks Canada aims to restore normalcy as quickly as possible while prioritizing public safety in the region.
