Construction along the Coquihalla Highway in August of 2023 (photo courtesy of the B.C. Government / Flickr)

By Liam Verster

Highway Fully Reopened

Coquihalla repairs completed two years after atmospheric river

Nov 15, 2023 | 12:23 PM

Two years after being severely damaged by an atmospheric river, the Coquihalla Highway has been fully repaired.

The weather event closed Highway 5 to regular traffic Nov. 14, 2021, when rain caused flooding and washouts between Hope and Merritt, damaging more than 20 sites over 130 kilometres of highway. That included six bridges where spans were damaged or completely collapsed and five sites where large volumes of debris came down on the highway.

“Today (Wednesday, Nov. 15), I’m immensely proud to share that all six bridges that were destroyed during the atmospheric river in 2021 have been fully, permanently rebuilt, and all lanes in both directions are completely open to traffic,” Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming announced.

“The new climate-resilient rebuild of the Coquihalla is now officially completed.”

The new bridges have deep-pile footings and longer spans, allowing them to withstand high water levels. They also have large rock protection added to prevent erosion and scouring, and are longer than before to allow for additional water to pass underneath.

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Crews also improved drainage along the highways and have planted trees, shrubs and grasses to encourage stream-side re-vegetation and support the restoration of aquatic and land habitat.

“Our infrastructure has to be able to withstand extreme weather conditions; this is the new normal,” Fleming said.

“For the safety of our residents and the movement of goods, this is an important infrastructure priority for British Columbians.”

Fleming said the reconstruction of Highway 5 was prioritized following the atmospheric river, and work was still required on Highways 8 and 1, which were also affected by the weather event.

It was estimated that once all the highways have been repaired and cleaned, it would cost between $1 and $1.5 billion, though Flemming stated 70 to 80 per cent of that would be covered through the Financial Assistance Agreement with the federal government and could be recovered through the national insurance program.

Fleming added the work to rebuild the highway connecting the Interior and the coast would not have been possible without the partnership with the Syilx, Peters and Yale First Nations.