Coquihalla Highway reopened to commercial trucks after November floods
In December 2021, B.C. reopened Highway 5 between Hope and Merritt to essential commercial vehicles after 35 days of temporary repairs.
On Dec. 20, 2021, British Columbia reopened the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) between Hope and Merritt to essential commercial vehicles only, after floods and washouts closed it on Nov. 14, 2021.
The damage and repairs
According to the province, the November rain event damaged more than 20 sites along 130 kilometres of the Coquihalla, including seven bridges where spans collapsed or were 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 reopen the highway in 35 days.
The repairs were temporary, with changed travel patterns, reduced speed limits and ongoing construction. Plans for permanent repairs were underway.
Rules for trucks
- The reopened highway was limited to commercial vehicles with a licensed gross vehicle weight of at least 11,794 kilograms.
- With most trucks moving back to Highway 5, restrictions on Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton were lifted at 8 a.m. on Dec. 21, opening it to non-essential travel.
- Restrictions were also lifted on Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet, but vehicles over 14,500 kilograms GVW were still barred from that section.
BC Trucking Association president and CEO Dave Earle said Highway 3 had been carrying 3,000 to 4,000 trucks a day during the detour, compared with a normal summer peak of about 1,200.
Transportation Minister Rob Fleming credited ministry teams, maintenance contractors and hundreds of workers for the reopening. BCTA's Earle said having the Coquihalla back would bring more predictability to moving goods through B.C. The province reminded drivers that winter tire and chain-up rules were in effect.