As we joked about the stupidity that plays out on Canadian roads day after day, our conversation took on a mournful note as Davis talked about the tragedies that also occur and how they could often be avoided. [27] Thanks for your message. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. Chance of snow 60%. Highway 5, southbound. Chance of snow 60%. 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. [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. 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Its not like bombing around in Vancouver or Toronto, says Davis. Variably cloudy with snow showers. 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. The Coquihalla highway in BC, Canada is frequently traveled by Canadians and Americans. The area retains some remnants of the Kettle Valley Railway which travelled this route from early 1900s until 1961. Compact snow. 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Winter tires are required on high mountain passes in BC until March 31st at the least. won't privatize Coquihalla Highway", "Alberta highway shouldn't claim Coquihalla", "Actions to improve safety on B.C. 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. Chance of snow 60%. Without your consent employers will not be able to contact with job offers, would you like to opt-in now? To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. Now they just drop bombs from the helicopters in the exact location of the avalanche hazard. Safe travels. Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! Coquihalla Hwy. reopened but drivers told 'no stopping' due to Coquihalla Conditions Hwy 5 & Hwy 97C - British Columbia Highway News The Canadian docuseries, which premiered in 2012, follows the daily operations of tow truckers working in British Columbia. Along with adequate provisions to maintain ones warmth and energy, there are the obvious car-related preparations, such as proper snow tires. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Sunshine and clouds mixed. You've probably driven it a few times, whether as a commuter or a BC traveller, or TONS of times as a commercial driver. Road construction work between Exit 231: Mine Creek Rd and Exit 250: Larson Hill for 18.6 km (31 to 12 km north of Coquihalla Summit). [4], Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area is a provincial recreation area centred around Coquihalla Summit. 's infamous 'Highway Thru Hell'. Watch for traffic control. 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. 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. I would appreciate your clarification of this statistic. [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. Without knowing exactly the location you are referring to exactly, we would guess that is what youve seen. Starting Wed Mar 8 at 9:00 AM PST until Fri Mar 10 at 5:00 PM PST. Utility work planned between Harmon Rd and Vavenby Bridge Rd (Vavenby). Snow accumulations less than 2cm. 2. [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. Low -8C. Davis strongly discourages driving at night. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 km/h. Stay tuned. [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. 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). Can you guys find out the answer to Brians question? Chance of snow 60%. The location of the former toll booth is 13km (8mi) north of the snow shed, passing through another interchange and the On Wednesday, January 19, 2022, the Coquihalla Highway was reopened to non- essential traffic from Hope to Merritt. as rain batters province, leading to mudslides and flood warnings", "Relentless rain causing flooding, road closures and evacuations across B.C. Stunning scenery and an engineering marvel. Thanks for your comment! Watch for slippery sections between Loon Lake Rd and Merritt for 24.2 km (Merritt). Collisions, close calls, and anything interesting. Becoming partly cloudy later. [11][14] Subsequently, the toll station and signs were dismantled. Variable clouds with snow showers. Sign up to receive Driving.ca's Blind-Spot Monitor newsletter on Wednesdays and Saturdays. He possesses astonishing insight into the world of transportation and heavy rescue. [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. Also if the steepest part of the Coquihalla between Hope to Merritt is the Smasher, is there an equivalent between Merritt and Kamloops? If youre mired in the white stuff, so are rescue services, including ambulances, tow trucks and taxi cabs. What are the concrete bunkers visible along the #5 highway between Hope and Merritt? By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 1,244m or 4,081ft) is a highway summit along the Coquihalla Highway in British Columbia, Canada. Services for drivers are provided in the major towns. where is the smasher on the coquihalla. Highway rescuer Jamie Davis recounts tales from one of Canada's fiercest winter roads. Stay tuned. '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. 3 day. This website is where the B.C. The Coquihalla approximately traces through the Cascade Mountains the route of the former Kettle Valley Railway, which existed between 1912 and 1958. Aspen Grove South Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector), at Hwy 5A Junction, near Aspen Grove, looking south. High 3C. Winds light and variable. 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: In addition to getting a 2023 first-round pick and solid prospect in Reid Schaefer in the Mattias Ekholm trade . Stay tuned. Low -4C. Coquihalla Summit S Hwy 5, about 7 km north of Zopkios Brake Check, looking the south. 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. High 1C. Earlier, a witness shared photos of another section that appeared to be washed away near the Othello Tunnels. It becomes a two-lane highway at Heffley Creek and the exit to Sun Peaks resorts, both of which indicate the final northern boundary of Kamloops. The ascent to the Coquihalla Summit is very steep, especially from the south, and is particularly steep north of the Great Bear snow shed. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. After separating from Highways 1 and 97, Highway 5 proceeds north for approximately 19km (12mi). Winds SSW at 10 to 15 km/h. Hope that this helps. Larson Hill S Hwy 5 at Larson Hill, 36 km south of Merritt, looking to the south. Does an agency record statistics for the number of highway road closures per year? Coquihalla Highway - The Smasher - YouTube Safe travels. Variable clouds with snow showers. 's Interior helped to convince reluctant Cabinet members of the necessity of the third route to the Interior". We hope that answered some questions or piqued your curiosity around the Coq. The original statistic should have read 3.3 million annual VKT/km, instead of 3.3 million annual VKT. 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. Part of the Highway 5, the road is193 km (119 miles) long, running north-south from Kamloops to Hope via Merritt. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. The tunnel entrance of the mountain pass on B.C.s Highway 5. tap here to see other videos from our team. How Well Do You Know the Coquihalla? | TranBC Lane Closure. Coquihalla Box Canyon North Hwy 5, near Box Canyon Chain-up Area, looking north. we might be able to provide more specific information). This group is for the idiots that drive the Coquihalla Highway that think they are experts drivers. We are looking into this for you. Low -7C. Walloper Hwy 5, about 30 km south of Kamloops, looking to the south. 61 km (38 mi) and five interchanges later, the Coquihalla enters the city of Merritt at its south junction with Highway 5A and Highway 97C. Compact snow. It's called British Columbia Highway 5 (Coquihalla Highway). social media users statistics 2019 where is the smasher on the coquihalla - tourdefat.com Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. So dangerous and dramatic is the highway, Discovery Channel chose it as the basis of their gripping and exceptionally popular reality series Highway Thru Hell, which features the rescue work and heavy towing services of Jamie Davis and his 40 or so dedicated employees. Winds light and variable. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. 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. Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport. It may be an avalanche that closes the road or a multi-vehicle pileup, or simply waist-deep snow that paralyzes everything on wheels. [8] The project was divided into three phases, with Phase 1 being the 115km (71mi) section between Hope and Merritt, Phase 2 being the 80km (50mi) section between Merritt and Kamloops, and Phase 3 being a 108km (67mi) branch between Merritt and Peachland, south of Kelowna. an accident) or some other factor? Chance of snow 60%. Thanks for reading. Forecast issued: 3:45 PM PST Monday 6 February 2023. Periods of rain except periods of snow near the summit. Ten earth structures (stopping dams and mounds) which you probably wouldnt notice because they are now covered with vegetation. Expect minor delays. Traffic volumes thin out at that exit and shortly afterwards Highway 5 narrows to a 2 lane undivided road. Coquihalla - Trans Mountain - Homepage Some decrease in clouds late. 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. 6-11 Months 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 . Highway Thru Hell | Episode 4 Wreck Analysis Upload, share, download and embed your videos. Highway 5 connects the southern Trans-Canada route (Highway 1) with the northern Trans-Canada/Yellowhead route (Highway 16), providing the shortest land connection between Vancouver and Edmonton. The B.C. 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 . 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. Zopkios - Hwy 5, southbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit, looking northeast. Signs along the Coquihalla Highway frequently warn drivers to be aware of sudden changes in weather. How confusing! Many of the catastrophic mistakes he bears witness to involve typical cars and SUVs rather than big rigs. British Columbia storm: Highway snaps in half, Vancouver cut off as [Canada] [OC] Descending The Smasher - Coquihalla Highway - Highway