Parts of the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail will be closed due to erosion stabilization work.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) said the trail closures are scheduled to start Monday, Sept.14 for shoreline stabilization work along Mara Lake between Folland Road and Rosemond Lake Bridge.
The work will continue through the fall into December.
The CSRD said public access to the Mara Lake section of the rail trail between Sicamous and Mara will be limited to weekends only.
The Sicamous Ferry shuttle will continue operating on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September until Oct. 12.
Officials said crews will work to repair and clear the trail and move equipment off the trail as much as possible each Friday, to allow people to use the trail over the weekend.
“Please navigate through the work zones carefully, obey all signs, and expect uneven ground throughout,” the CSRD said.
Project Construction Manager Jeromy Schuetze acknowledges the timing is not ideal.
“We had to wait for provincial permits which dictate when the work can be done,” he explained.
“The trail will be closed from Folland Road at Km 2.8 to Rosemond Bridge at Km 14.8,” he said. “The start date pending the permit issuance is expected any day now.”
He added that the goal will be to reach Folland Road by Christmas.
“In the new year, we will work from Folland Road to Km 0, so this section would be closed until April 2027.”
The Bruhn Bridge Highway 1 pathway connector between Sicamous and the rail trail is scheduled for completion in 2027.
A Public Information Bulletin with updated access details and maps is available at shuswapnorthokanaganrailtrail.ca.
