Why pay for it again? There were 32 fatal crashes between 2004 and 2013 (according to ICBC). It may take several hours of travel time and a hundred dollars in burnt fuel to obtain a jerrycan of rescue. The ascent to the Coquihalla Summit is very steep, especially from the south. [20] While road maintenance strives to keep the roads as clear as possible, it is not unheard of for the highway to shut down, sometimes with travellers forced to stay overnight in their cars. Next it passes Tte Jaune Cache and crosses the Fraser River, after which it immediately meets Highway16 in a partial interchange; making its northern terminus. According to St:l oral history, the skw'exweq (water babies, underwater people) who inhabit a pool close by the rock, would swim out and pull the salmon off the spears, allowing only certain fisherman to catch the salmon."[2]. 35km (22mi) north of Othello, after passing through five interchanges, Highway 5 reaches the landmark Great Bear snow shed. This rock is a good platform for spearing salmon. Coquihalla Summit is not actually the highest point on the Coquihalla Highway, rather the Surrey Lake Summit[clarification needed] at 1,244m (4,081ft) is the highest point on the Coquihalla, which goes from Hope to the Highway 1 interchange outside of Kamloops. In the line The Coquihalla averages 1,350mm of precipitation of which 1,150mm falls as snow, below the graph, you might want to change the units of measure. 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. We hope that this information is helpful. Snow showers. 's infamous 'Highway Thru Hell'. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 km/h. A few snow showers developing later in the day. Over the course of November 14 and 15, some 200 millimetres (7.9in) of rain fell along the route of the Coquihalla. Go prepared, or go home. To quote Highway from Hell's Jamie Davis, I cant criticize the Coquihalla. minor road condition | last updated Sat Mar 4 at 6:45 AM PST. Chance of snow 60%. It was a little nerve wracking in my little Toyota Matrix but I am glad I did it. [5] In 1970, Highway 5 between Kamloops and Tte Jaune Cache was designated as the South Yellowhead Highway and signed with the Yellowhead Highway shield, while the section south of Kamloops was still signed with the standard British Columbia highway shield. Considerable clouds early. Terms | 3-7cm of snow expected. In CDL School Now The ascent is particularly steep after passing . It should be cm, not mm. Coquihalla Highway is one of the worst roads in winters Coquihalla Highway is an extreme freeway located in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province. [7], On May 16, 1986, Phase 1 was officially opened and Highway 5 was re-routed between Hope and Merritt; its construction required 31 bridges and underpasses and over 3.7million tonnes (4,100,000 short tons) of gravel. Next update time Mon Mar 6. That's a LOT of white stuff coming down. Its one of the worst roads in all of North America in winters. It is located just south of the former toll booth plaza on the Coquihalla Highway, about 50km (31mi) north of Hope, and 65km (40mi) south of Merritt and is the divide between the Coquihalla River and the Coldwater River. It is so-named because near Hope, it generally follows the Coquihalla River, for about 60 km (37 mi), and uses the Coquihalla Pass. Without knowing exactly the location you are referring to exactly, we would guess that is what youve seen. Stay tuned. The severe winter snow and winds threaten even the most experienced and best-equipped drivers. Canadian Covid -19 Emergency border measures have ended. 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. Downtown Valemount as seen from the west side of Highway 5. Winds SE at 10 to 15 km/h. Britton Creek S Hwy 5, by Britton Creek Rest Area northbound turnoff, looking south. Expect minor delays. Avalanche control works planned Saturday morning followed by any required cleanup works. government says Highway 1 south of Hope should be reopened this. British Columbia is grappling with the aftermath of intense rainfall and floods, which washed away parts of major highways and forced people to evacuate from affected locations in the southern part of the province. What you see are likely the old avalanche howitzer guns and bases that are roadside within avalanche paths. High around 0C. Winds light and variable. Dont travel at night. Britton Creek N Hwy 5, by Britton Creek Rest Area northbound turnoff, looking north. I give my express consent authorizing TruckersReport and its. Safe travels. Road closed. Thanks for your comment. Variable clouds with snow showers. High 3C. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
, BC Mountain Summit Weather and Road Condition Cameras, Coquihalla Summit (el. We have sent you an email instead. High 1C. 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. Walloper Hwy 5, about 30 km south of Kamloops, looking to the south. After separating from Highways 1 and 97, Highway 5 proceeds north for approximately 19km (12mi). minor construction | last updated Tue Feb 28 at 12:40 PM PST. Youve got to be a survivalist, he says. Chance of snow 50%. Highway 5, southbound. Hes been the one constant along the hellish stretch of road that truckers rely upon, and as such hes seen it all more than once. Privacy Agreement Both passenger and commercial vehicles rely on it as a primary connection between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. On December 20, 2021, the Coquihalla Highway was reopened to essential traffic, with non- essential traffic being diverted towards Highway 99. The government website you provide states that the entire Coquihalla highway (i.e., Hope to Kamloops) is restricted. Thanks for your comment anonymous. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. Highway rescuer Jamie Davis recounts tales from one of Canada's fiercest winter roads. We have the information but it is in a graph format and this platform wont support graphics in the comments. Highway 97C travels on this freeway 82 km (51 mi) northwest to Aspen Grove, where it converges with Highway 5A. 5+ Years, Please select ALL of your current, valid drivers licenses. Al Quiring and his team of heavy-tow operators have been rescuing trapped drivers and their vehicles from the treacherous Coquihalla Highway in British Columbia for years. 1,244m or 4,081ft) is a highway summit along the Coquihalla Highway in British Columbia, Canada. The highway is particularly dangerous during winter seasons, with extreme snowfall that can exceed more than 10 centimetres (4in) per hour. Zopkios Southbound S Hwy 5, southbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit, looking southwest. It soon passes through the community of Valemount where a traffic signal is located. Hi there Cass thanks for your question. It was a toll road until 2008. People often leave after work not realizing that as the sun goes down the temperature drops, and the storm starts. Horrific in the winter! Sometime in March? Heffley Creek indicates the northern boundary of Kamloops, the exit to Sun Peaks resort is at the same turn off. We encountered an issue signing you up. Can you tell me the amount of fatalities on this pass since it opened? Despite recent challenges on the lower portion of the highway, the Coquihalla does indeed remain a marvel of engineering. Her deadly weapons of choice include sheets of ice, blinding snowstorms, and avalanches. Tucked away in southern British Columbia, make sure you get your vehicle and yourself well-prepared before driving this road. The B.C. Please select the number of verifiable months youve been driving professionally using your Class A CDL within the last 3 years. Zopkios Southbound N Hwy 5, northbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit looking to the south. It is typically open all year round, with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions. On the one hand, you have the Othello Tunnels, which is what the park is most known for; on the other hand, you have the park's epic geology, rushing water and beautiful flora. [15], In 2011, the British Columbia government replaced the standard British Columbia Highway 5 shields with Yellowhead Highway 5 shields south of Kamloops, which at the time drew some concern that the Coquihalla Highway would be officially renamed. Hope that this helps. Once the roads are passable, Davis or one of his drivers will come back with gas, but be prepared to pay. Without knowing exactly the location you are referring to exactly, we would guess that one of these is what youve seen. High 1C. North of the Highway 8 junction, Highway 97C goes north for 42 km (26 mi) to Logan Lake, then northwest for 57 km (35 mi) to Ashcroft on the Canadian National Railway. 3 day. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. In 1876 the Hope-Nicola Trail was built. This website is where the B.C. The Coq starts near sea level at Hope and then gains over a kilometre in elevation in less than 50km distance. A diamond interchange at Exit 336 provides an important turn off to Logan Lake on Highway 97D and Lac le Jeune. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. What are the round cement bunker like structures along the highway?? ICBC tracks these statistics here: https://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/newsroom/Pages/Statistics.aspx. Explosives, dropped from helicopters, and three days were needed to clear it. I was hoping you could either confirm or deny this. The closures of Highway 1 in the Fraser Valley along with the closure of other highways around the Lower Mainland,. I think that publishing the annual VKT would be more meaningful to the general public. 19962023 bchighway.com - All Rights Reserved. Winter tires or chains are required on most routes in British Columbia from October 1 to April 30. To get a comparison I went to easily available statistics from Alberta, http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType181/production/LinkTrafficVolumeVehicleClassTravelESAL2014.pdf. The Coquihalla approximately traces through the Cascade Mountains the route of the former Kettle Valley Railway, which existed between 1912 and 1958. Coquihalla Great Bear Snowshed S Hwy 5, Great Bear Snowshed looking to the south. Its highest altitude is the Pennask Summit (1728 m, 5760 ft, above sea level). So how does one ensure survival in such an epic struggle? A welcome email is on its way. Nighttime driving is the worst for this, and the most dangerous. Variably cloudy with snow showers. Over heating vehicles is a common occurrence. At this time, we are not considering making the Coquihalla a tolled route. We have sent this question forward to the area operations manager for review. 1-5 Months Nov. 15, 2021. Snow showers. Repairs are being made. [7][10] The total cost for the highway between Hope and Merritt was approximately $848 million.
Winds SE at 10 to 15 km/h. Snow showers. Privacy | Coquihalla Box Canyon North Hwy 5, near Box Canyon Chain-up Area, looking north. Is there a highwqy that runs the complete length of Canada? City folk drive out of Vancouver and forget that they have to go through a mountain pass, halfway up they are at the point of no return and arent equipped. And thats when things go wrong. They chose to confront the Coq without a full tank, not realizing that idling a car for warmth hour after hour depletes an already dangerously low fuel tank. Winds light and variable. The next issue of Driving.ca's Blind-Spot Monitor will soon be in your inbox. Highway 5 begins in the south at its junction with Highway 3 at an uninhabited location known as Othello, 7 km (4 mi) east of Hope (named after a nearby siding on the Kettle Valley Railway, which used many Shakespearean names). Number of closures for the last 10 years would be sufficient. Winter surprises are a real fear, sudden snow storms, blowing snow and fog, often make winter driving hazardous and slow. The exit numbers on the Coquihalla are a continuation of those on Highway 1 west of Hope. Othello Road Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L1 Canada Full view Best nearby Restaurants 30 within 5 kms Home Restaurant 670 2.7 km$$ - $$$ American Diner Canadian Starbucks 6 2.9 kmAmerican Spice & Grill 2 2.9 km See all Attractions 19 within 10 kms Kawkawa Lake 4 1.2 kmBodies of Water Nature & Wildlife Areas I do not see a lot of information about bicycles on the highway. I have driven the highway dozens of times, the majority being 97C, but lots to Vancouver too. Winds light and variable. [16][17], Effective July 2, 2014, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure increased the speed limit of Coquihalla Highway from 110km/h (68mph) to 120km/h (75mph) after conducting an engineering assessment and province-wide speed review. There are many tools engineered into the design of the Coquihalla Highway to reduce the likelihood of avalanches affecting the route, which is why the Coquihalla sees less frequent closures for avalanche hazard and avalanche control than many other mountain passes in the province. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 km/h. Copyright 2023, Province of British Columbia. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. The rules imposed by the United States Dec 2 2021 requiring a test 24hours before flying to the USA do not apply at the land border however You are still required to be fully vaccinated to drive to USA. Highway 5 continues east for 7 km (4 mi) concurrent with Highways 1 and 97 through Kamloops. [13], On September 26, 2008, the provincial government permanently lifted the Coquihalla tolls, effective 1:00 pm that day. Hello John, Is it true Surrey Lake Summit was formerly called Clapperton Lake Summit? Its an interesting stretch of highway that comes with its unique challenges but our district staff and maintenance contractors will continue to monitor the Coquihalla and keep you moving as efficiently and as safely as possible. We have enabled email notificationsyou will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. minor construction | last updated Fri Mar 3 at 8:05 PM PST. Shortly after the junction it descends into the city of Kamloops where it meets Highways1 and 97 at a trumpet interchange. Stay tuned. Thanks for your comment! Also I read that Surrey Lake Summit was formerly known as Clapperton Creek Summit. 4 Years Its totally paved. Highway 5 begins south at the junction with Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) at uninhabited Othello, 7km (4mi) east of Hope (named after a nearby siding on the Kettle Valley Railway, which used many Shakespearean names). High near 0C. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing him on this very topic. Unless my logic is incorrect, something is wrong here. I note that you give average daily traffic at 10,569 which works out to 3.9 million trips per year. The highway, varying between four and six lanes, is pretty good, some sections have frost heaves and uneven pavement but it's 2 lanes each way so slower traffic like trucks are not an issue. minor incident | last updated Sat Mar 4 at 6:32 AM PST. Families headed for ski trips, folks on business, and of course the inept holiday traveller so well-satirized by Clark Griswold in National Lampoons Vacation series. Brace yourself winter is here. Chance of snow 60%. The Southern Yellowhead highway is the northern section of Highway 5, this section is 314km (195mi) long. (I found the info on Wikipedia, but no explanation). Bottom line: be certain you can spend five hours or possibly a day or two by yourself in a snowstorm. Hello Anne and thank you for your message. Low around -10C. The latest music videos, short movies, tv shows, funny and extreme videos. In May 2022, I drove the Coquihalla to/from my way to Edmonton for the first time. [1] It is the highest point on the highway between the cities of Hope and Merritt. High 2C. Coquihalla Summit S Hwy 5, about 7 km north of Zopkios Brake Check, looking the south. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. He spoke of an incident that claimed the life of a Good Samaritan trying to help others involved in a crash on a dark snowy night. Watch for traffic control personnel. We are looking into this for you. The road was constructed in 1941. 35 km (22 mi) north of Othello, after passing through five interchanges, Highway 5 reaches the Great Bear snow shed, which is a landmark on the route. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Part of the Highway 5, the road is193 km (119 miles) long, running north-south from Kamloops to Hope via Merritt. It is so-named because near Hope, it generally follows the Coquihalla River, for about 60km (37mi), and uses the Coquihalla Pass. Larson Hill S Hwy 5 at Larson Hill, 36 km south of Merritt, looking to the south. Theres a lot to take away from a conversation with Jamie Davis; rest assured, its never dull. Highway 5follows the North Thompson River north from Heffley Creek for approximately 54 km (34 mi), along a parallel course with a branch of the Canadian National Railway, passing through Barriere, to a junction with Highway 24 at Little Fort. Highland Valley Road Highway 97C, at Highland Valley Rd, about 61 km north of Merritt and 46 km south of Ashcroft, looking north. Chance of snow 60%. Coquihalla conditions today. According to ICBC there were 32 fatal crashes between 2004 and 2013, and an estimated 400-500 accidents occur during the winter seasons. Variably cloudy with snow showers. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. The Coquihalla highway. It is located just south of the former toll booth plaza on the Coquihalla Highway, about 50 km (31 mi) north of Hope, and 65 km (40 mi) south of Merritt and is the divide between the Coquihalla River and the Coldwater River. Many lives have been lost or irreversibly altered on the Coq, and thats a difficult reality faced by Davis and his crew. 7 day. 2. Coquihalla Lakes S Hwy 5, 61km south of Merritt, looking to the south. Crews will have cleared the road, and youll be fresh., Davis goes on to say that the weather on the Coq, and in fact all mountain roads, can change in 20 minutes or less, and all the best forecasts can be wrong you just dont know.. 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. WIDE LOADS OVER 4.5 METERS USE BOTH SOUTHBOUND LANES AT BOTTLE TOP BRIDGE. If theres anyone qualified to deliver a life-saving rant to those tackling Canadas winter highways, its got to be Davis. Coquihalla Highway is the largest of 4 routes connecting the Vancouver area with interior centres. Periods of rain except periods of snow near the summit. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. It may be an avalanche that closes the road or a multi-vehicle pileup, or simply waist-deep snow that paralyzes everything on wheels. Before tackling a merciless winter highway, be sure youre carrying some basic necessities, such as thermoses of hot fluids, food, warm clothes, blanket, flashlight, and proper winter footwear. On November 14, 2021, a major storm in southern British Columbia damaged sections of the Coquihalla Highway and other routes in the area. Check out these related links: Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ae97b9131b164e536984c2e38dcabe60" );document.getElementById("b69d9e56eb").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Sowhats the grade for north of the snow shed? 30 km (19 mi) north of Little Fort, while continuing to follow the North Thompson and the CN Railway, Highway 5 reaches the community of Clearwater. Youre fatigued and the driving is its most treacherous. It is very steep at both ends and although it is a modern highway, most truckers avoid traveling on it due to the extra gasoline expense that the steep inclines create. https://www.tranbc.ca/2013/01/09/highway-thru-hell-the-complete-tranbc-interview-series/, why is a portion of the highway called the smasher?. The road, (colloquially "the Coq"), climbs up the Coquihalla Pass, a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.249m (4,097ft) above the sea level and tops out by Surrey Lake Summit, at 1.444m (4,738ft) asl. The ascent is particularly steep after passing northbound through the Great Bear snow shed. Think again. Hello Greg. But how well do you know this stretch of highway? On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Highway 5 proceeds northeast for another 107km (66mi), passing Vavenby and Avola en route to the community of Blue River: a popular heliskiing location. Highway Thru Hell | Episode 4 Wreck Analysis Upload, share, download and embed your videos. 30km (19mi) north of Little Fort, while continuing to follow the North Thompson and the CN Railway, Highway 5 reaches the resort community of Clearwater where a roundabout provides access to Wells Gray Provincial Park. In British Columbia, motorists will find such information at www.shiftintowinter.ca. Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport. Coquihalla, BC 10-Day Weather Forecast - The Weather Channel | Weather.com 10 Day Weather - Coquihalla, BC As of 04:40 PST Winter Storm Warning Today -5/ -12 90% Sun. Smart drivers have lots of gas, carry winter clothing, a candle (for warmth) and sleeping bag in the car ' just in case' (chances are that you will never need those extras). thecanadaweather.com Canada British Columbia Coquihalla. Compact snow. Please try again, 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. It is located just south of the former toll booth plaza on the Coquihalla Highway, about 50 km (31 mi) north of Hope, and 65 km (40 mi) south of Merritt and is the divide between the Coquihalla River and the Coldwater River . Davis strongly discourages driving at night. Chance of snow 60%. Make sure your vehicle is in good shape with summer coolant and good brakes and tires. [23], Owing to its reputation, Highway 5 is featured predominantly in the reality docuseries Highway Thru Hell, which follows a group of towing companies that operate in the Interior and Highway 5.[24]. Thanks for connecting with us here. Jamie Davis behind the wheel of one of his heavy rescue tow trucks. Mine Creek Hwy 5 southbound, at Mine Creek Rd, looking south. The B.C. minor road condition | last updated Sat Mar 4 at 6:31 AM PST. The toll booth once marked the halfway point of the formerly tolled Hope-to-Merritt portion of the highway. Alternate route via Hwy 1 and Hwy 3. Highway 1, 3, 7 and 5 in Coquihalla suffered extensive damage . High -1C. where is the smasher on the coquihalla. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure shares with you what we do and why we do it. Variable clouds with snow showers. Low -6C. North of Barriere it encounters a junction with Highway 24 in the village of Little Fort. Davis went onto emphasize the importance of staying put, and not stepping onto the highway without proper reflective gear and safety equipment. We want your experiences too! 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%. Winter driving is indeed dangerous, but that is more a reflection of the high elevation and mountainous terrain rather than the road itself. There isnt a Timmies on every corner., When it comes to winter tires, four is always the safest way to go. Many of the catastrophic mistakes he bears witness to involve typical cars and SUVs rather than big rigs. The Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area is located at the top of the pass on the Coquihalla Highway, approximately 45km (28mi) north of Hope.