With the ongoing closure of the William R. Bennett Bridge, some drivers in the South Okanagan have encountered issues on a forest service road.
A KelownaNow reader submitted pictures of several vehicles stuck on the 201 Forest Service Road, which runs from Penticton east to Carmi on Highway 33.
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Although the road has been used as an alternative route during closures of Highway 97 during the summer, the mountain route has a lot of snow on it.
The reader says there are several stuck pictures and traffic is already backing up as people try to get into Kelowna for appointments or to catch flights out of the Kelowna airport.
“The province has said they would keep the road clear and they have failed. Citizens and police working together to push out stick vehicles,” the reader wrote in an email to KelownaNow.
The man’s pictures show at least 10 vehicles stuck in the snow.
The Kelowna RCMP do not recommend using this road as a detour during the bridge closure.
The update came during a press conference held at the detachment Monday morning.
“Just a notice to drivers, some are trying to travel over the 201 FSR, they are all already stuck,” said Cpl. Michael Gauthier.
“Search and rescue is helping get people out. Please don’t take that route, it’s not maintained, it’s a bad idea.”
As of 11:30 am, the bridge remains closed as the police wait for the Lower Mainland Explosive Disposal Unit.
