City crews and contractors began constructing a 75-metre, 200-piece lock-block wall along a portion of the Robert Service Way escarpment on Tuesday morning.

The decision to build the wall behind the concrete barriers already in place follows increased activity along the slope as the spring freshet is underway. The city says it’s a temporary mitigative measure.

Not unexpectedly, that movement and water seepage began last week, though it hasn’t been as pronounced as in the springs of 2022 and 2023. Slides closed Robert Service Way for several weeks both those years.

The lock-block wall will provide an additional layer of protection against smaller slides, the city said Monday afternoon.

Robert Service Way and the Millennium Trail will remain open while work is underway, but motorists are asked to respect speed limits and signage.

“People are asked to use caution in the area at all times, as conditions can change rapidly, and a road closure may be necessary if conditions become unsafe,” the city said.