The Alberta government is working toward reopening a major route in Kananaskis Country that was blocked by a rockslide in June. On June 1, boulders came tumbling down on Spray Lakes Road while several vehicles were driving through the area. No one was injured, but Alberta Parks closed a section of the road due to the danger posed by falling rocks. The closure extends from the Grassi Lakes parking lot to the Goat Creek day-use area. Alberta Parks says inclement weather was to blame for the incident. “This section of the Spray Lakes Road runs along steep rock slopes where natural rockfall can occur, particularly during periods of heavy rain and spring thaw conditions,” said Alberta’s transportation and economic corridors department in a news release. “The heavy rainfall in late May and early June exacerbated the situation at the site, resulting in the noted rockfall on Spray Lakes Road.” Officials say work is being done to clear the rubble and make the area safe for visitors. That task will involve removing all loose and unstable rocks from the slope above the road. “The department’s geotechnical engineering team inspected the site and developed a comprehensive rockfall mitigation work plan for the area highway maintenance contractor to complete, with the assistance of a specialized rock scaling contractor with well-recognized expertise to carry out the work,” officials said. Rock bolts will also be used to secure larger sections of rock wherever necessary and temporary rockfall barriers are in place to prevent any falling rocks while the work is ongoing. An estimated 200 cubic metres of debris is expected to be removed from the site. Alberta Transportation expects the work to be completed by mid-August.
