UPDATE: Crews partly re-open Highway 3 near Christina Lake

Highway 3 re-opened to single-lane alternating east of Christina Lake at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, according to highway contractor Yellowhead Road and Bridge (YRB).

YRB’s Greg McNeil said crews were able to clear the northbound lane after an early morning rock slide blocked the highway on the eastern outskirts of Christina Lake.

Motorists can expect up to 20-minute delays on either side of the slide until at least 5 p.m. Thursday, when McNeil said he hoped the highway would reopen in both directions.

Crews were clearing space along the highway that could safely absorb another slide, he said, adding that no rocks have come down since YRB arrived at the slide at around 6:30 a.m.

McNeil said that rock slides were common at this time of year, as rising daytime temperatures accelerate free/thaw cycles.

“This was a big one,” he told The Gazette.

@ltritsch1
laurie.tritschler@grandforksgazette.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.