Hugh Allan Drive will remain closed until Friday as City of Kamloops crews clean up the mess resulting from a rock fall on Saturday evening.

The geotechnical firm Golder and Associates inspected the rock slope Monday and found it stable, according to City streets crew leader Augie Pietramala.

Ajax external affairs manager Yves Lacasse said that after studying the area with test blasts and geotechnical analysis, project proponent KGHM is planning to reduce the duration of blasts "to protect existing infrastructure and our planned facilities located very close to the Ajax pit."

"A shorter blast means less force to surrounding areas, which will protect the infrastructure and allow the slopes to remain stable," said Lacasse.

He also pointed out what other City officials have said — that such a rock fall is not uncommon given the freeze and thaw of the season.

"But it does highlight the need for us to design our project with care, and that is exactly what our technical team is in the process of doing," he added.

Pietramala's crew is in the process of removing the debris and reinstalling concrete barricades that were put in place after previous rock falls at the same location.

Then the geotechnical experts will return for another look, he said.

"He will pass on to us if I have to add some stuff in there for shoring," he said.

Drivers should continue to use Copperhead Drive as an alternate route.