A mudslide will keep a section of Knox Mountain closed until further notice.
The slide occurred earlier this week at the end of North end of Ethel Street, behind Knox Mountain Metals. A spot that Stephen Bryans, Kelowna Roadways Supervisor says has been on the city’s radar for a while. “We’ve had issues with that whole slope for years and the (geotechnical engineers) actually have slope indicator monitors in there and water monitors in there.”
Bryans says Knox Mountain Metals is working with voluntary minimum staff today and staying away from the area of the slide, and signs have been placed to keep hikers away from the unstable area. “We want all foot traffic on the top of the mountain restricted. We don’t want people walking over there, just in case.”
The geotechnical consulting group will continue to monitor the mountainside, and once it’s dried and stabilized enough, they’ll put together a report regarding what the next step will be to address the trouble spot.
The City has also announced the lower portion of Knox Mountain Drive will open for the first time this Spring. The gate to the first lookout will open at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 3rd. The upper half of Knox Mountain Drive will open in two weeks, weather permitting.