Permanent Coquihalla repairs to start this summer, contractors secured

Work to permanently repair the Coquihalla Highway will soon begin, several months after catastrophic flooding caused major damage to the critical route.

Permanent repairs on the Coq will start this summer, with the province saying contracts for the work have been awarded. Work will restore Highway 5 to its “previous full, four-lane capacity” at three sites: Bottletop Bridges, Juliet Bridges, and Jessica Bridges.

The project is expected to “be substantially complete this winter.”

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“This marks a significant milestone in our recovery from the devastating atmospheric river events of last fall,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming.

“Following the extraordinary work that was done to reconnect these highways in December, we’re building back permanent infrastructure that will be equipped to better withstand the impacts of climate change and future extreme weather events.”

The Coquihalla was shut down in mid-November because of the devastating atmospheric river that brought torrential rains and flooding to various parts of southern B.C. The province notes that floods and washouts damaged more than 20 sites along 130 kilometres of the Coq between Hope and Merritt.

Highway 5 was reopened to all traffic in January, ahead of schedule, after some temporary fixes were made. The road had reopened to commercial traffic in December.

The B.C. government announced in March that it was moving forward with its plans for permanent repairs, announcing it was in the process narrowing down crews to handle the major undertaking.

The province is still looking to award contracts for repairs to sections along Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon, with interested contractors asked to submit their proposals. The B.C. government notes repairs are needed south of Spences Bridge at Falls Creek Bridge, Tank Hill Crossing, and Nicomen River Bridge.

Submissions close in September, with the province hoping to award contracts “shortly after.”

Meanwhile, work is also still needed through the Highway 8 corridor, where 25 sections were washed out between Spences Bridge and Merritt. Temporary repairs have already been made to 18 sections, the province notes, with repairs ongoing at two others and plans to begin elsewhere upcoming.