Rock slide shuts down Trans-Canada near Field, B.C., after contractors drill holes for explosives
Motorists will have to use alternative routes for a period up to 72 hours while the road is cleared
A section of the Trans-Canada Highway could be closed in both directions for up to three days after a rock slide west of Field, B.C., late Monday.
The rock slide occurred while contractors were drilling holes to place explosives at the rock scaling site, approximately 16 kilometres west of Field, Parks Canada said in a statement on Tuesday.
Two contractors working on site were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Some 10,000 cubic metres of rock and debris has fallen, it said. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Police say clearing the road could take some time.
"Anyone planning to travel between Alberta and British Columbia via Highway 1 is asked to choose an alternate route or make arrangements for accommodations as this closure is expected to remain in effect for 24 to 72 hours," Alberta RCMP said in the statement.
Update: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCHWY1?src=hash">#BCHWY1</a> remains CLOSED 16 km West of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FieldBC?src=hash">#FieldBC</a> due to rocks on the road. Next update tomorrow at 10 AM <a href="https://t.co/gLLgR1iAzq">https://t.co/gLLgR1iAzq</a>
—@DriveBCTravellers driving into B.C. can head south on Highway 93 to Radium Hot Springs, then head north on Highway 95 to Golden to rejoin the Trans-Canada Highway west of the closure — about an hour-and-a-half detour.
Field is about 200 kilometres west of Calgary.
RCMP say they will advise when the road reopens.