Chance of snow 50%. Cookie Policy | Youve got to be a survivalist, he says. The ascent is particularly steep after passing northbound through the Great Bear snow shed. Along with adequate provisions to maintain ones warmth and energy, there are the obvious car-related preparations, such as proper snow tires. Periods of rain except periods of snow near the summit. tom mcloughlin friday the 13th. As Davis puts it, Its you, your vehicle, and a very lonesome feeling. While such words may be apropos for a hurtin song, they carry a far more serious meaning when delivered by Davis. Check Weather and Road Conditions at the Great Bear Snowshed Highway Cam Road Condition Reports for the Coquihalla Hwy5 and Highway 97C Next update time Mon Mar 6. Highway 97C. High 2C. Coquihalla Highway is one of the worst roads in winters Highway5 follows the North Thompson River north from Kamloops and Heffley Creek for approximately 54km (34mi), along a parallel course with the Canadian National Railway's main line. [8], In 2003, Premier Gordon Campbell announced the Liberal government would turn over toll revenue to a private operator, along with responsibility for operation, and maintenance of "the Coq".
The Discovery Channel did a series called Highway Through Hell about this stretch of road. The Coquihalla Snowshed Protocol: 10 Steps to Highway Safety. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Coquihalla Highway is the largest of 4 routes connecting the Vancouver area with interior centres. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Occasional snow showers. In addition to getting a 2023 first-round pick and solid prospect in Reid Schaefer in the Mattias Ekholm trade . I Need CDL Training The Coquihalla is one of the most popular highway mountain passes in BC. Please feel free to delete my original post if you wish. He sees it all the time, people milling around their cars at the side of the road exposing themselves to traffic unable to see them until its too late. It's called British Columbia Highway 5 (Coquihalla Highway). Downtown Valemount as seen from the west side of Highway 5. Initial repair estimates include temporary reopenings consisting of temporary bridges, operational for early 2022 with full repair completed in September 2022. This website is where the B.C. Surviving B.C.'s infamous 'Highway Thru Hell' | Driving Construction of this part of the Coquihalla Highway was spearheaded by Tom Waterland as MLA for Yale-Lillooet. Unfortunately, we dont have this information. [18] In June 2016, the province implemented a variable speed limit corridor around the Coquhalla Summit Park to increase safety during adverse conditions.[19]. Drivers could avoid becoming stranded and helpless if they were more conscientious about filling their gas tanks at each opportunity and carrying cable chains. Interspersed among the chuckles and anecdotes, Davis imparted tremendous insight into what can go wrong when motorists are ill-prepared to take on Mother Nature in a battle that she usually wins. Scattered snow showers during the evening. After separating from Highways 1 and 97, Highway 5 proceeds north for approximately 19km (12mi). At this time, we are not considering making the Coquihalla a tolled route. North of Barriere it encounters a junction with Highway 24 in the village of Little Fort. Brenda Mine West Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector), about 22 km west of 97/97C Junction, looking west. There isnt actually a single number to answer the question, because freezing levels very so much in the mountains around the Coquihalla. thecanadaweather.com Canada British Columbia Coquihalla. Driving the Smasher on the Coquihalla highway mid winter 2011 Variable clouds with snow showers. High -1C. For most of this section it is a 4 lane divided highway with several signalized intersections and a speed limit of 80km/h (50mph). Mostly cloudy skies early. It's 7 kms from Hope (the Shakespearean name is reminiscent of the Kettle Valley Railway which used such names). Theres a lot to take away from a conversation with Jamie Davis; rest assured, its never dull. NO highway should be demonized because of the idiots who dont know what they are doing. Vehicle crash on Coquihalla Highway cleared - BC News Mine Creek Hwy 5 southbound, at Mine Creek Rd, looking south. The 52-year-old has built up such a reputation that truckers say when his green rig shows up, there is nothing to worry about anymore. There were 32 fatal crashes between 2004 and 2013 (according to ICBC). Highway 5, in both directions. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. From south to north, the following intersections are observed along Highway 5:[29][30], Highway 5 passing through Thompson Plateau. It proceeds northeast for another 107 km (67 mi), passing Vavenby en route, to the community of Blue River, and then 109 km (68 mi) further north through the Columbia Mountains, passing by the community of Valemount to its northern terminus at Tte Jaune Cache, where it meets Highway 16. Why the change? After leaving the concurrency it immediately crosses the South Thompson River and enters a First Nations Reserve, temporarily leaving Kamloops city limits. Highways 97C and 5A share the 28 km (17 mi) long route between Aspen Grove and Lower Nicola, where Highway 5A diverges immediately east and Highway 8 begins. Over the course of November 14 and 15, some 200 millimetres (7.9in) of rain fell along the route of the Coquihalla. 5 min read. Winds SW at 10 to 15 km/h. I do not see a lot of information about bicycles on the highway. 's rural highways", "What You Need to Know About Winter Weather on the "Coq", "British Columbia's 12 deadliest highways", "Highway Thru Hell: tough, but Canadian-style tough", "Highways closed around B.C. Chance of snow 60%. That's a LOT of white stuff coming down. After separating from Highways 1 and 97, Highway 5 proceeds north for approximately 19 km (12 mi), temporarily leaving Kamloops city limits as a four-lane highway, before re-entering the city at the Rayleigh community and continuing north. I was wondering if you had the information on the percent grade climbing up Surrey Lake Summit. A rescue is currently underway using helicopters to airlift people stuck between two landslides on Highway 7 near Agassiz. Zopkios Southbound N Hwy 5, northbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit looking to the south. as rain batters province, leading to mudslides and flood warnings", "Relentless rain causing flooding, road closures and evacuations across B.C. Signs along the Coquihalla Highway frequently warn drivers to be aware of sudden changes in weather. A particularly important intersection is the signal lights at Halston Drive, which is one of only two access points to the north half of Kamloops. [7] The three phases have been credited with transforming Merritt into an important transportation hub between the coast and interior, as well as significant growth in both Kamloops and the Okanagan due to improved accessibility. Despite the entire route being signed as part of the Yellowhead Highway, the portion of Highway 5 south of Kamloops is also known as the Coquihalla Highway while the northern portion is known as the Southern Yellowhead Highway. Discover our featured content. Variably cloudy with snow showers. It requires skill to drive. At high elevations it can sometimes get to be -30 deg. Heres a blog we wrote about our avalanche program and with a video of an controlled avalanche completed using a helicopter: http://tranbc.ca/2016/03/24/what-its-like-to-watch-an-avalanche-from-a-helicopter/. They dont look quite as dapper after chilling roadside a few hours. Hello John, Subscribe to our Blind-Spot Monitor newsletters to catch up on all the top automotive stories of the week, Subscribe to our newsletters to catch up on all the top automotive stories of the week, Best in Class: 7 of the most fuel-efficient SUVs of 2023, Ontario insurer to issue free trackers to oft-targeted cars, Motor Mouth: This patent may be Fords dumbest idea ever, Driving By Numbers: Canada's 10 best-selling electric vehicles in 2022, News Roundup: Free trackers for oft-stolen cars, Canadas top-selling EVs, and more, Surviving B.C. Winds light and variable. Copyright 2023, Province of British Columbia. Earlier, a witness shared photos of another section that appeared to be washed away near the Othello Tunnels. The Coquihalla highway. government for a new highway route to Hope, including a vehicle caravan that was staged eight times starting in 1963, over the abandoned Kettle Valley Railway grade, in order draw attention to the potential of this route. Thanks for your comment! Is it true Surrey Lake Summit was formerly called Clapperton Lake Summit? Snow accumulations less than 2cm. High 3C. [2] After 10 years in office, Waterland retired from the Cabinet in 1986 a few months after seeing this part of the project through to its completion. There were 32 fatal crashes between 2004 and 2013 (according to ICBC). we might be able to provide more specific information). Trucks have been known to avoid the route, but most motorists don't have any hesitation about driving the route in spring-summer-fall conditions. Coquihalla Lakes S Hwy 5, 61km south of Merritt, looking to the south. The Coquihalla section was a toll road until 2008. Hope, at the eastern end of the Fraser Valley. Youre fatigued and the driving is its most treacherous. 2023 Driving, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Variable clouds with snow showers. Hes animated and passionate when he talks about what he has seen, and is genuinely concerned for the well-being of all folks travelling the Highway Thru Hell, whether by car or by Freightliner. What are the round cement bunker like structures along the highway?? Does an agency record statistics for the number of highway road closures per year? Here is a link with more information on BC highways and cycling restrictions: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/cycling/cycling-regulations-restrictions-rules. 7 day. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
, BC Mountain Summit Weather and Road Condition Cameras, Coquihalla Summit (el. Services for drivers are provided in the major towns. Part of the Highway 5, the road is193 km (119 miles) long, running north-south from Kamloops to Hope via Merritt. Tough on what seemed like all cars except mine. It is largely a two-lane undivided road, with some rare three- or four-lane sections for passing, although work has been constantly underway (especially in the Heffley CreekClearwater section) to create more passing opportunities. Tucked away in southern British Columbia, make sure you get your vehicle and yourself well-prepared before driving this road. Appreciate the suggestion. Some of the old railroad grade is now part of the Trans-Canada Trail network, including the Othello Tunnels of the Coquihalla River section, which are accessible via exits from the Coquihalla Highway. Is there a highwqy that runs the complete length of Canada? Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Highway 5, southbound. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Traffic volume on this section of highway is low compared to the Coquihalla and Kamloops sections of Highway 5. Why pay for it again? It is located just south of the former toll booth plaza on the Coquihalla Highway, about 50 km north of Hope, and 65 km south of Merritt and is the divide between the Coquihalla River and the Coldwater River. Low around -10C. Repairs are being made. I will be driving that route every other month during the non-snow tire months. Edit your picks to remove vehicles if you want to add different ones. By checking this box and clicking the "Send me job offers" button below, I represent that I: By checking this box and clicking the "Send me job offers" button below. to have this designation. It was a mistake to take the toll off the Coquihalla hwy. government privatizing toll highway", "B.C. The next issue of Driving.ca's Blind-Spot Monitor will soon be in your inbox. Chance of snow 60%. Partly cloudy early, then some snow showers later in the day. minor construction | last updated Fri Mar 3 at 8:05 PM PST. On November 14, 2021, a major storm in southern British Columbia damaged sections of the Coquihalla Highway and other routes in the area. Her deadly weapons of choice include sheets of ice, blinding snowstorms, and avalanches. Hello Anne and thank you for your message. [Canada] [OC] Descending The Smasher - Coquihalla Highway - Highway Lane Closure. There are some portions of the Coquihalla where cycling is prohibited. Built to enhance regional tourism and to lighten traffic on the busy trucking routes, the 303 km, 4-lane highway has 3 segments. Chance of snow 50%. The Coquihalla Highway starts south of the junction with Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) situated at the uninhabited region of Othello. The Coquihalla conditions has three more interchanges and one mountain pass, the Clapperton Creek Summit, in its remaining 72 km (45 mi) between Merritt and its end at a junction with Highways 1 and 97 within the Afton area of Kamloops. The Canadian docuseries, which premiered in 2012, follows the daily operations of tow truckers working in British Columbia. Plus the elevation means that it's frequently covered with snow and ice. (Submitted by Jeremiah Steberl) B.C.'s Coquihalla Highway could be . After exiting Merritt the highway climbs up a long steep hill towards another highpoint the Surrey Lake Summit It pass through three interchanges along this section. Zopkios Southbound S Hwy 5, southbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit, looking southwest. We are looking into this for you. Chance of snow 60%. Highway 5, in both directions. Winds E at 10 to 15 km/h. Chance of snow 60%. [12] In response to strong opposition from the public, and numerous businesses, in the Interior of British Columbia, the provincial government shelved the move three months later. How long will it take to drive the Coq at an easy sight seeing pace? Low -11C. This stretch of road, which carries 97 South and 5 North on the same lanes (and vice versa), is the only other wrong-way concurrency in British Columbia, along with 99 North and 12 South, near the town of Lillooet. VKT/km represents the annual VKT divided by the length of the roadway, and provides a good relative indicator of the average intensity of usage over the length of each highway. Signs along the Coquihalla Highway frequently warn drivers to be aware of sudden changes in weather. Chance of snow 40%. Low -4C. Modern use of the pass began in 1986 after construction of the first phase of the Coquihalla Highway (from Hope to Merritt). And make no bones about it, being stuck on the Coq or any other remote highway when the mercury dips to minus 27 degrees Celcius is nothing short of a battle for survival. From 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST on Friday and Saturday. 35km (22mi) north of Othello, after passing through five interchanges, Highway 5 reaches the landmark Great Bear snow shed. GENERAL STATS Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Low -7C. Chance of snow 50%. High avalanche hazard between the start of Highway 5 and Exit 286: Merritt - 97C for 109.3 km (Hope to Merritt). In summer, because of the steady uphill grade of the highway, motorists must monitor their vehicles for overheating. Occasional snow showers. Snow deposit removal between Brenda Mine Rd and Pennask Summit for 10.1 km (Pennask Summit). Elkhart West Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector), about 25 km east of Hwy 5A/97C Junction, looking west. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. Kw'ikw'iya:la (Coquihalla) in the Halq'emeylem language of the St:l, is a place name meaning "stingy container." How confusing! Precip is the water equivalent of the accumulated snowfall plus the amount of any rainfall, measured in mm.