The Coquihalla (Highway 5) marks major milestone with the reopening to four lanes following completion of temporary repairs at three bridge sites.
“This is another momentous achievement as we rebuild our highways following last year’s storms,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming. “By reopening the Coquihalla to four lanes, we’re increasing safety and reducing congestion. This is great news for people, industry and the provincial economy as we head into another busy travel season.”
The completed work includes new temporary bridges for southbound traffic at the Bottletop and Jessica bridge sites, and a bridge for northbound traffic at the Juliet bridge site that will serve as the permanent southbound crossing. This work was completed by KEA5, a joint venture between Peter Kiewit & Sons and Emil Anderson Construction.
Work will continue this coming winter and into late 2023 to complete the permanent repairs. The area remains a construction zone and drivers can expect to see ongoing speed and traffic-pattern changes.
Permanent repairs to the Othello section of the Coquihalla are done. Emil Anderson and the Chawathil First Nation combined to repair 460 metres of the southbound lanes that were washed out, as well as:
- replacing and enlarging culverts to accommodate future extreme weather events related to climate change;
- widening shoulders and replacing barriers; and
- reinstating the roadside barrier and spillways.
The Coquihalla was closed to regular vehicle traffic on Nov. 14, 2021, due to damage caused by heavy rain and flooding.
Flooding and washouts associated with the November 2021 rains damaged more than 20 sites along 130 kilometres of the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt.
