The B.C. government says slope stabilization work is done at Ten Mile Slide on Highway 99, about 17 km northeast of Lillooet.

It says the work will improve the long-term safety and reliability for people travelling on the highway after decades of ongoing slide activity at Ten Mile Slide, which is located within Xaxli’p’s (Fountain) Indian reserve.

“As a result of the collaborative work between the Province and Xaxli’p on this geotechnically complex project, the Ten Mile slope is now stable with a safe, two-lane highway open through the site,” B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming said.

“I thank Xaxli’p, area residents, commercial drivers and others for their patience as we worked to ensure safer and more reliable travel through the area for years to come.”

As part of slope stabilization, there were 148 concrete and composite piles installed below the highway to support the road and prevent further movement. That is in addition to 276 soil anchors which were put above the highway, before the road was reconstructed.

“It has been a long process dating back decades, as current and previous Xaxli’p leadership worked with the ministry to identify a more long-term solution to the ongoing movement of this large tunnel earthflow,” Xaxli’p Chief Colleen Jacob said.

“It is our intent that this has greatly improved the safety and reliability of the road for all, including Xaxli’p, all surrounding St’at’imc and Lillooet communities, and the many travellers who access this route.”

Lillooet mayor Peter Busse too says the completion of the project is welcome news as Highway 99 is the main connector between his community and Kamloops.

“The load restriction, now lifted, will significantly lessen the impact economically for the transport of goods in and out of our area,” he said. “This was a very significant technical project with a leading-edge design, and we were most fortunate that the chosen contractors were of the calibre… Maintaining the integrity of this important piece of highway that will carry us well into the future.”

The government says some minor ground settlement of the rebuilt stretch of highway is expected to occur over the next two years until the site fully settles. At that time, the highway will be paved.

In all, about 40 local workers were hired to do the construction work.