Single-lane access on Highway 97 through Pine Pass north of Prince George is to remain open notwithstanding a heavy-rain warning for the Peace Region, a B.C. Ministry of Transportation official said Friday.
However, Mike Lorimer, the regional director, cautioned that changes could be made on short notice.
"Right now we are optimistic we can keep the traffic moving through as we have been," said Lorimer.
"If there are any indications we have a concern to safety, we might have to shut it down on short notice, just as we would in any flooding event," he added.
He noted that since there is still work underway to repair the highway, there is a lot of equipment in the Pine Pass that can be used to respond to any issue. "It puts us in a good position," said Lorimer.
He recommended the travelling public refer to www.drivebc.ca for updates.
The 30-kilometre stretch of highway was washed out in numerous locations two weeks ago during heavy rains. The highway between Mackenzie junction and Chetwynd was re-opened Wednesday evening to single-lane traffic.
Also on Wednesday, the heavy rainfall in the Peace Region north of Prince George has shut down forest service roads and recreation sites.
The B.C. Forest Service warned that as the above-normal snowpack continues to melt in the Peace Region -- and with another rainfall warning in effect -- that four forest service roads are closed because of washouts.
The Johnson Creek Forest Service Road near Moberly Lake, Fisher Creek and Silver Sands forest roads west of Chetwynd, and Table Creek Forest Service Road near Hudson's Hope are all closed.
There is no access to Wright Lake, Gething Creek and Carbon Lake recreation sites, as well as to Battleship Mountain hiking trail.
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