Pictures from the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure shows the extent of damage to B.C.’s Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt.
Damage was caused as a result of flooding and mudslides following storms from November 16 to November 18.
Officials say they can't even hazard a guess at when Highway 5 will reopen, but Paula Cousins with the Ministry of Transportation said “temporary repairs are going to take months.”
“Our crews are preparing site plans to begin temporary repairs, while engineering, procurement and construction experts work to determine the best and fastest way to restore the corridor to its pre-event conditions,” Cousins said.
It is likely that the B.C. Interior will have to rely on Highway 3 (Hope to Princeton) to access the Lower Mainland. That route is hoped to open next week.
