UPDATE: Highway 12 reopens after giant boulder cleared

LYTTON – A huge boulder that fell onto Highway 12 in a rockslide on the weekend has been cleared and the highway has reopened.

The highway was closed between Lytton and Lillooet until early Monday afternoon after the boulder fell, blocking much the roadway.

The Drive B.C. website noted the Ministry had to wait on a geotechnical assessment after the boulder hit the road just north of Lytton.

Assessment crews flew into the area today, Jan. 19, to make sure blowing up the giant boulder would not cause another slide, according to Global Okanagan. Exploding the boulder would be quicker than trying to move it in one piece.

It’s believed the boulder was loosened by the quick change from cold to warmer temperatures last week.

For the very latest highway conditions, including road closures, check out the Drive B.C. website.

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To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Highway 99 as the closed highway.

— This story was updated at 3:27 p.m., Jan. 19 after the highway reopened.