Coquihalla Conditions Hwy 5 & Hwy 97C - British Columbia Highway News [1] It is the highest point on the highway between the cities of Hope and Merritt. minor road condition | last updated Sat Mar 4 at 6:45 AM PST. High 1C. It also experiences extreme snowfall rates, with accumulation sometimes exceeding 10 cm per hour. From there it proceeds 109km (68mi) further north through the heart of the Columbia Mountains. Highway 5 continues east for 7 km (4 mi) concurrent with Highways 1 and 97 through Kamloops. It was a mistake to take the toll off the Coquihalla hwy. Coquihalla Box Canyon South Hwy 5, near Box Canyon Chain-up Area, looking south. 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. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Along with adequate provisions to maintain ones warmth and energy, there are the obvious car-related preparations, such as proper snow tires. Highway rescuer Jamie Davis, featured in the Discovery Channels Highway Thru Hell reality show, has seen it all on B.C.s infamous Highway 5. There were 32 fatal crashes between 2004 and 2013 (according to ICBC). 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. Shortly after the junction it descends into the city of Kamloops where it meets Highways1 and 97 at a trumpet interchange. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This 'travel news' services website is privately owned. We want your experiences too! Theres a lot to take away from a conversation with Jamie Davis; rest assured, its never dull. Surviving B.C.'s infamous 'Highway Thru Hell' | Driving This could include surveying, flagging and staking the right-of-way, mobilization of crews and equipment, preparing the right-of-way, clearing and grading, delivery and staging . thecanadaweather.com Canada British Columbia Coquihalla. [3], Following nine days of snowfall in February 2014, a Class 4 avalanche occurred across the Coquihalla Highway, 33 kilometres (21mi) north of Hope on February 20, 2014. 3 day. Watch for slippery sections between Junction Hwy 97 and Pennask Summit for 33.0 km (West Kelowna to Pennask Summit). Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. The Coquihalla section was a toll road until 2008. Until Sun Mar 5 at 3:00 AM PST. 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. Read more about cookies here. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. 10 day. Highway 5, southbound. The Coquihalla Valley has long been a major transportation route from the coast to the interior. High 2C. Aspen Grove North Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector), at Hwy 5A Junction, near Aspen Grove, looking north. Winds E at 10 to 15 km/h. 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. [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". Chance of snow 50%. 6-11 Months Coquihalla Summit S Hwy 5, about 7 km north of Zopkios Brake Check, looking the south. Drivers could avoid becoming stranded and helpless if they were more conscientious about filling their gas tanks at each opportunity and carrying cable chains. #Coquihalla 2:20pm March 3 Jamie Davis behind the wheel of one of his heavy rescue tow trucks. Stunning scenery and an engineering marvel. Zopkios - Hwy 5, southbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit, looking northeast. What are the bunker looking things on the side of the highway? Good info, glad I dont have to drive it this winter (no tourists or school trips!) Appreciate the suggestion. Road closed. Hope that this helps. Think AWD makes you invincible in the show? Winds light and variable. This rock is a good platform for spearing salmon. Larson Hill S Hwy 5 at Larson Hill, 36 km south of Merritt, looking to the south. Expect minor delays. High avalanche hazard between the start of Highway 5 and Exit 286: Merritt - 97C for 109.3 km (Hope to Merritt). 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. Sign up to receive Driving.ca's Blind-Spot Monitor newsletter on Wednesdays and Saturdays. A long steep 8%. Watch for traffic control personnel. Youve probably driven it a few times, whether as a commuter or a BC traveller, or TONS of times as a commercial driver. Coquihalla Pass Wikipedia Republished // WIKI 2 You can only add up to 5 vehicles to your picks. Snow showers. So how does one ensure survival in such an epic struggle? Vehicle crash on Coquihalla Highway cleared - BC News Britton Creek S Hwy 5, by Britton Creek Rest Area northbound turnoff, looking south. Highway 97C travels on this freeway 82 km (51 mi) northwest to Aspen Grove, where it converges with Highway 5A. Careful preparation for your trip will ensure that if, and when, things do go wrong, you are prepared for the situation. 3. Collisions, close calls, and anything interesting. Both passenger and commercial vehicles rely on it as a primary connection between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Avalanche chutes scar the mountainsides and are a visible reminder of the steep terrain that surrounds the highway. Our local avalanche staff has let us know that while we dont have a weather station there, we do have the following info to share: I would appreciate your clarification of this statistic. Low -7C. Low -6C. I will be driving that route every other month during the non-snow tire months. The numbers are in general much higher than the corresponding 3.3 million KM quoted for the Coquihalla. Ran it opening day may long weekend in 86 no signs for brake check at top of smasher it was quite the ride coming over the top at 100 km apparently motor ways put 6 in the runaway lanes that week so I was told. There isnt a Timmies on every corner., When it comes to winter tires, four is always the safest way to go. We are looking into this for you. 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. Job Listing Rules. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. won't privatize Coquihalla Highway", "Alberta highway shouldn't claim Coquihalla", "Actions to improve safety on B.C. Her deadly weapons of choice include sheets of ice, blinding snowstorms, and avalanches. It is so-named because near Hope, it generally follows the Coquihalla River, for about 60km (37mi), and uses the Coquihalla Pass. Hi Sarah, Snowfall of 2-3cm. The Coquihalla Snowshed Protocol: 10 Steps to Highway Safety. [11][14] Subsequently, the toll station and signs were dismantled. Chance of snow 60%. Brace yourself winter is here. Unless my logic is incorrect, something is wrong here. Chance of snow 30%. The closures of Highway 1 in the Fraser Valley along with the closure of other highways around the Lower Mainland,. The Trans-Canada Highway is your best bet for longest continuous stretch of road across Canada. It crosses a low divide between the Thompson River and Fraser River drainages entering the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. ICBC tracks these statistics here: https://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/newsroom/Pages/Statistics.aspx. Members are encouraged to submit articles about driving the Coquihalla. Mostly cloudy. For the last 10 years, Davis and his company, Jamie Davis Towing, have been performing heavy recovery and rescue services along the Coq, as its affectionately called by locals. Variable clouds with snow showers. The ascent to the Coquihalla Summit is very steep, especially from the south. Chance of snow 40%. The Discovery Channel did a series called Highway Through Hell about this stretch of road. Winds light and variable. Mostly cloudy skies early. Can you guys find out the answer to Brians question? 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. 1-5 Months el paso community college international students. Prepare for the seasons worst with our winter driving guide. 1. Coquihalla Great Bear Snowshed N Hwy 5, Great Bear Snowshed looking to the north. These defenses include: Road alignment designed to use Boston Bar creek as a natural catchment area. Initial repair estimates include temporary reopenings consisting of temporary bridges, operational for early 2022 with full repair completed in September 2022. 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. Zopkios Southbound N Hwy 5, southbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit, looking northeast. So when we said 1150 mm falls as snow, then thats the water equivalent of the snow. Tough on what seemed like all cars except mine. The highway 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. Snow showers. I plan on riding van to Calgary in June 2016. I have driven the highway dozens of times, the majority being 97C, but lots to Vancouver too. 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. Coquihalla Highway | The Canadian Encyclopedia Thanks for your message. I note that you give average daily traffic at 10,569 which works out to 3.9 million trips per year. Chance of snow 60%. Snow showers. High 2C. Is there a highwqy that runs the complete length of Canada? Each company we work with has specific experience requirements for their drivers. Watch for slippery sections between Exit 202: Portia and Exit 231: Mine Creek Rd for 25.2 km (6 km south of Great Bear Snowshed to 12 km north of Coquihalla Summit). Canadian Covid -19 Emergency border measures have ended. Thanks for connecting with us here. Nighttime driving is the worst for this, and the most dangerous. I saw this in the Vancouver Province this morning and wondered if it could be true it was easy to trace it to this web page. A highway camera in the area shows the dark-coloured. The ascent is particularly steep after passing northbound through the Great Bear snow shed. Theres no help around the corner, so you must rely upon your own smarts to survive. Snow showers before midnight. People often leave after work not realizing that as the sun goes down the temperature drops, and the storm starts. Discover our featured content. 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. Heffley Creek indicates the northern boundary of Kamloops, the exit to Sun Peaks resort is at the same turn off. Thanks for your comment! Davis went onto emphasize the importance of staying put, and not stepping onto the highway without proper reflective gear and safety equipment. Snowfall amount 5 cm near the summit. Variably cloudy with snow showers. Winds light and variable. Without knowing exactly the location you are referring to exactly, we would guess that is what youve seen. It's 7 kms from Hope (the Shakespearean name is reminiscent of the Kettle Valley Railway which used such names). Compact snow. A welcome email is on its way. I have not been able to find information on Surrey Lake Summit on the website. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 km/h. Coquihalla Conditions for Hwy 5 Coquihalla highway & Hwy 97C Okanagan connector for today. 20 Details Behind The Making Of Highway Thru Hell - ScreenRant 5+ Years, Please select ALL of your current, valid drivers licenses. 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. Cloudy with snow showers developing for the afternoon. to have this designation. North of Barriere it encounters a junction with Highway 24 in the village of Little Fort. Please try again, 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. The exit numbers on the Coquihalla are a continuation of those on Highway 1 west of Hope. There are remnants of a few structures which might be visible along this stretch: Avalanche bunkers where avalanche techs might have set up and used older military style explosives to trigger avalanches in the area; avalanche benches which are installed to stop the flow of snow onto the highway; or there is also the remnants of an old telecommunications gondola, which carried service workers up to the peak of Dog Mountain back in the day. Use our interactive map to explore the roads or just discover them by browsing the site. A series of protected areas were established along the route in 1986. Exit numbers on the Coquihalla are a continuation of those on Highway 1 west of Hope as it is an extension of the freeway that starts in Horseshoe Bay. Here is a website with more information about winter tires and where they are required in BC: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/driving/traveller-information/seasonal/winter-driving/winter-tires-and-chains. We encountered an issue signing you up. [18] In June 2016, the province implemented a variable speed limit corridor around the Coquhalla Summit Park to increase safety during adverse conditions.[19]. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. The government website you provide states that the entire Coquihalla highway (i.e., Hope to Kamloops) is restricted. CDL Grad, No Experience The section of Highway 97C east of Merritt is mostly freeway, with a speed limit of 110 km/h (68 mph) and between 4 and 6 lanes, and has very few exits along its route. The severe winter snow and winds threaten even the most experienced and best-equipped drivers. Title: Elevation and Grade Profile on Highway 5 - Coquihalla Pass Author: BC Ministry of Transporation Subject: Expect a fee of $200 or more to relieve the empty feeling. If theres anyone qualified to deliver a life-saving rant to those tackling Canadas winter highways, its got to be Davis. [21] Global News listed the stretch between Merritt and Hope as one of the deadliest highways in BC. Chance of snow 50%. Pennask Summit Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector). Winds light and variable. The next issue of Driving.ca's Blind-Spot Monitor will soon be in your inbox. What you see are likely the old avalanche howitzer guns and bases that are roadside within avalanche paths. Please select the number of verifiable months youve been driving professionally using your Class A CDL within the last 3 years. Thanks for your questions.
[27] 's Interior helped to convince reluctant Cabinet members of the necessity of the third route to the Interior". Winter tires or chains are required on most routes in British Columbia from October 1 to April 30. With the road closed for hours due to a snowstorm, Davis has had other motorists bang on his trucks door begging for fuel. Highway 1, 3, 7 and 5 in Coquihalla suffered extensive damage . Wildfire Service said. dangerousroads.org is not responsible for the information contained in these pages. Cookie Policy | It encompasses 5,750 hectares (14,200 acres) of forested mountain slopes stretching from Portia Peak in the southwest to Coquihalla Lakes in the northeast. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure shares with you what we do and why we do it. Highway 97C, in both directions. Its one of the worst roads in all of North America in winters. Precip is the water equivalent of the accumulated snowfall plus the amount of any rainfall, measured in mm. Chance of snow 60%. We have sent you an email instead. Ten earth structures (stopping dams and mounds) which you probably wouldnt notice because they are now covered with vegetation. 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. Aspen Grove South Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector), at Hwy 5A Junction, near Aspen Grove, looking south. Coquihalla, BC 10-Day Weather Forecast - The Weather Channel Now they just drop bombs from the helicopters in the exact location of the avalanche hazard. We hope that this is helpful. Larson Hill N Hwy 5 at Larson Hill, 36 km south of Merritt, looking to the north. High near 0C. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. From 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST on Friday and Saturday. Occasional snow showers. [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. Driving the Smasher on the Coquihalla highway mid winter 2011 5 day. Low around -5C. Daviss trucks never leave the yard without stopping in the nearby town of Hope to fill up on gas, and there are always food and survival provisions on-board. There are some portions of the Coquihalla where cycling is prohibited. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The Smasher. Coquihalla Road Reports | Facebook Parts of the Coquihalla Highway were washed away in heavy rains near the Caroline Mine area close to Hope, B.C. minor construction | last updated Thu Mar 2 at 4:51 PM PST. Partly cloudy early, then some snow showers later in the day. We reached out to our weather and avalanche group for clarification and they let us know that the issue is the difference between measurement of precipitation and snowfall. The Canadian docuseries, which premiered in 2012, follows the daily operations of tow truckers working in British Columbia.