Coquihalla reopens to essential traffic, Highway 3 adds recreational travel Tuesday
Five weeks after sustaining major damage to more than a dozen sections, the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) reopened to essential commercial vehicles just before 9 a.m. this morning.
Flooding and washouts associated with a November rain event damaged more than 20 sites along 130 kilometres of the highway between Hope and Merritt. This included seven bridges where spans completely collapsed or were otherwise heavily damaged.
More than 300 workers using 200 pieces of equipment moved more than 400,000 cubic metres of gravel, rock, and other material to repair and reopen the highway in just 35 days.
The repairs are temporary, with travel pattern changes and reduced speed limits.
The highway is available to commercial vehicles with a minimum licensed gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 11,794 kilograms.
With most commercial vehicles moving to Highway 5, travel restrictions will be lifted from Highway 3 at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21, allowing the route between Hope and Princeton to be used for non-essential travel.
Highway 99 from Pemberton to Lillooet reopened to non-essential traffic today.
Some more photos from today of crews paving (they have been throughout the day and night) in prep for Monday’s opening of the #Coquihalla #BChwy5.
Check @drivebc for updates on opening. pic.twitter.com/Hbdcx3OoA2— BC Transportation (@TranBC) December 20, 2021
“The people who build and maintain roads in B.C. have a reputation second to none, and their response to the recent disaster has been remarkable,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Ministry teams, maintenance contractors and hundreds of workers going flat out in challenging conditions have allowed us to reopen the Coquihalla Highway today, giving B.C.’s commercial drivers a safe, efficient route between the coast and Interior.”
A view from south of Othello Road as the first commercial vehicles access the now reopened #Coquihalla highway. #BChwy5 – #HopeBC to #Merritt is now open only to commercial traffic. pic.twitter.com/pCxL6Vqht4
— BC Transportation (@TranBC) December 20, 2021
“Today’s reopening of the Coquihalla Highway is a testament to the strong working relationship between the BC Road Builders and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure,” said Kelly Scott, president, BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association. “This relationship allowed the road builder industry and government to come together almost immediately, unified in the goal of reopening this vital link. We are grateful for all the women and men who worked safely and tirelessly around the clock to achieve our goal. ”
#BCHwy99 is now open to non-essential traffic from #Pemberton to #Lillooet. Restricted to vehicles under 14,500kg GVW. https://t.co/No2DU34c7z
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) December 20, 2021
When travel restrictions are lifted from Highway 3 and Highway 99, these routes become available for general use. For drivers travelling these highways, the ministry urges preparation and patience. Drivers can expect delays and congestion and are encouraged to consider alternate options or avoid highway travel unless necessary.
“Having use of the Coquihalla Highway brings more predictability to the movement of goods through British Columbia,” said Dave Earle, president and CEO, BC Trucking Association. “This an important step toward restoring our supply chain, and our members appreciate the extraordinary efforts of everyone involved.”
Highway 3 and Highway 99 are mountainous highways where weather conditions can change quickly, and people should be comfortable driving in winter conditions. The province’s maintenance contractors are out in full force, but it is important that drivers do their part and drive to conditions, and check DriveBC before setting out.