Coquihalla Highway is one of the worst roads in winters Coquihalla Highway is an extreme freeway located in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province. Davis strongly discourages driving at night. The tunnel entrance of the mountain pass on B.C.s Highway 5. tap here to see other videos from our team. 1-5 Months This information obtained from bchighway.com should not be used as a basis for making financial or other commitments. Without your consent employers will not be able to contact with job offers, would you like to opt-in now? Starting Wed Mar 8 at 9:00 AM PST until Fri Mar 10 at 5:00 PM PST. 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. 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?. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 km/h. The exit numbers on the Coquihalla are a continuation of those on Highway 1 west of Hope. Once the roads are passable, Davis or one of his drivers will come back with gas, but be prepared to pay. Pennask Summit Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector). I recently had the pleasure of interviewing him on this very topic. Highway 97C then travels 6 km (4 mi) west from Ashcroft to where it converges with Highway 1, which takes Highway 97C north for its final 5 km (3 mi) to its end at Highway 97 in Cache Creek. 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. From there it proceeds 109km (68mi) further north through the heart of the Columbia Mountains. [11] Phase 2 between Merritt and Kamloops opened in September 1987, re-routing Highway 5, while Phase 3 was opened in October 1990 and designated as Highway 97C. We have sent this question forward to the area operations manager for review. 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. minor road condition | last updated Sat Mar 4 at 6:31 AM PST. Snow showers. Too much horsepower with too little brains. [25][26] The heavy amount of rain eventually caused several large washouts at multiple points along the highway, including the destruction of multiple bridges. He possesses astonishing insight into the world of transportation and heavy rescue. It is typically open all year round, with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions. It crosses a low divide between the Thompson River and Fraser River drainages entering the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. Why Are Workers Doing the Safety Dance on the Sea-to-Sky? 's Interior helped to convince reluctant Cabinet members of the necessity of the third route to the Interior". On Wednesday, January 19, 2022, the Coquihalla Highway was reopened to non- essential traffic from Hope to Merritt. Coquihalla Highway - The Smasher - YouTube A welcome email is on its way. kamloops to merrit is absolutely treacherous right now, blowing blizzards and low vis, i can imagine the smasher will be 10x worse Number of closures for the last 10 years would be sufficient. Our BC HighwayCams also have a weather feature on each cam which will give you an idea of forecasted weather along the route. 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. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Highway 5, southbound. The Coquihalla was closed north of Hope on Sunday due to the July Creek wildfire, which jumped the highway and merged with the Brook Creek blaze on the other side. In spring, summer or fall, it's a breeze, but in winter there are at least 400-500 accidents and plenty of fatalities. Now that you are a Highway thru Hell fan you might be interested in some of our Highway Thru Hell content: https://www.tranbc.ca/2012/11/01/5-things-to-learn-from-watching-highway-thru-hell/ 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. Thanks for your comment anonymous. Highland Valley Road Highway 97C, at Highland Valley Rd, about 61 km north of Merritt and 46 km south of Ashcroft, looking north. [7][8] To ensure the project was completed on time, more than 10,000 people were needed to fill all of the jobs and more than 1,000 pieces of heavy equipment worked non-stop every day during the summer of 1985 to get it done. The area retains some remnants of the Kettle Valley Railway which travelled this route from early 1900s until 1961. There are some portions of the Coquihalla where cycling is prohibited. We have sent you an email instead. Snow showers. High 2C. Low -9C. If the total distance travelled is 3.3 million km, this works out to less than 1 km per trip. Interstate 5 traffic camera - Coquihalla Hwy through Hell - I5CAM.com British Columbia storm: Highway snaps in half, Vancouver cut off as Low -4C. 35km (22mi) north of Othello, after passing through five interchanges, Highway 5 reaches the landmark Great Bear snow shed. I note that you give average daily traffic at 10,569 which works out to 3.9 million trips per year. Snowfall amount 5 cm near the summit. 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. [9] The opening celebrations featured a ceremony in Hope followed by a convoy led by premier Bennett in an open air convertible that smashed through paper banners strung across the new highway lanes, stopped at the Coquihalla summit to dedicate a time capsule, and continued to Merritt for further celebrations. 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. Wait until morning. Tough on what seemed like all cars except mine. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. The Coquihalla approximately traces through the Cascade Mountains the route of the former Kettle Valley Railway, which existed between 1912 and 1958. | next update Mon Mar 6. [Canada] [OC] Descending The Smasher - Coquihalla Highway - Highway Despite recent challenges on the lower portion of the highway, the Coquihalla does indeed remain a marvel of engineering. Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport. Highway 97C. Hes the constant that can be relied upon when self-reliance runs out. Chance of snow 60%. Rule of thumb conversion from water equivalent to snowfall is about 10:1, so that would have been approximately 1150 cm of snow, but we were talking precipitation, not snow depth. After separating from Highways 1 and 97, Highway 5 proceeds north for approximately 19km (12mi). Horrific in the winter! Low -4C. Expect minor delays. 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). Coquihalla conditions today. Utility work planned between Thunder Creek Bridge and Blue River Bridge for 13.5 km (Blue River). 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. Her deadly weapons of choice include sheets of ice, blinding snowstorms, and avalanches. I will be driving that route every other month during the non-snow tire months. Over heating vehicles is a common occurrence. Theres a lot to take away from a conversation with Jamie Davis; rest assured, its never dull. #Coquihalla 2:20pm March 3 Winds E at 10 to 15 km/h. 3 day. which shows MVKM (Million Vehicle Kilometres) for many highway segments. People often leave after work not realizing that as the sun goes down the temperature drops, and the storm starts. The severe winter snow and winds threaten even the most experienced and best-equipped drivers. The Coquihalla Highway then enters the city of Merritt, which is accessed by two interchanges, both of which also provide access to Highway 5A, Highway 97C and Highway 8. Good info, glad I dont have to drive it this winter (no tourists or school trips!) Coquihalla Road Reports (And Area) | kamloops to merrit is absolutely Mine Creek Hwy 5 southbound, at Mine Creek Rd, looking south. Considerable clouds early. Winter driving is indeed dangerous, but that is more a reflection of the high elevation and mountainous terrain rather than the road itself. 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. Highway 5. The Coquihalla Highway starts south of the junction with Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) situated at the uninhabited region of Othello. In summer, because of the steady uphill grade of the highway, motorists must monitor their vehicles for overheating. Safe travels. Videos showing interesting road situations. Coquihalla Box Canyon South Hwy 5, near Box Canyon Chain-up Area, looking south. Terms | Larson Hill S Hwy 5 at Larson Hill, 36 km south of Merritt, looking to the south. From 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM PST on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Winds light and variable. 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). Britton Creek S Hwy 5, by Britton Creek Rest Area northbound turnoff, looking south. The Canadian docuseries, which premiered in 2012, follows the daily operations of tow truckers working in British Columbia. Hope that this helps. 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. Signup for our newsletter to get notified about our next ride. Chance of snow 30%. [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. The road is named after Coquihalla River. Chance of snow 50%. Many lives have been lost or irreversibly altered on the Coq, and thats a difficult reality faced by Davis and his crew. High -1C. Driving the Smasher on the Coquihalla highway mid winter 2011 Variably cloudy with snow showers. Coquihalla Highway is an extreme freeway located in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province. But how well do you know this stretch of highway? Larson Hill N Hwy 5 at Larson Hill, 36 km south of Merritt, looking to the north. Chance of snow 40%. Coquihalla rescuer: Nothing is staged for 'Highway Thru Hell' For highway rescuer Jamie Davis, those words of wisdom come from 10 years of pulling wrecks from gullies along the snowbound Highway Thru Hell, otherwise known as B.C.'s . 5+ Years, Please select ALL of your current, valid drivers licenses. Low -4C. Regardless, Highway 5 is designated as a core route of Canada's National Highway System. The data and electronic links provided in this web site are for informational purposes only and bchighway.com disclaims all responsibility for the accuracy of site content or linked information. The pass is named after the Coquihalla River, from which the highway also derives its name. Southbound travelers please use Britton creek rest Area exit 228. Please select the number of verifiable months youve been driving professionally using your Class A CDL within the last 3 years. Periods of rain except periods of snow near the summit. Smasher Time | TruckersReport.com Trucking Forum | #1 CDL Truck Driver Thanks for connecting with us here. 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. [21] Global News listed the stretch between Merritt and Hope as one of the deadliest highways in BC. For highway rescuer Jamie Davis, those words of wisdom come from 10 years of pulling wrecks from gullies along the snowbound Highway Thru Hell, otherwise known as B.C.s infamous Highway 5, also named the Coquihalla. Please feel free to delete my original post if you wish. I have not been able to find information on Surrey Lake Summit on the website. 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. There is an installation of concrete blocks along the highway placed there to block avalanche flow. 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. Its one of the worst roads in all of North America in winters. I have driven the highway dozens of times, the majority being 97C, but lots to Vancouver too. Sunshine and clouds mixed. It should be cm, not mm. There isnt actually a single number to answer the question, because freezing levels very so much in the mountains around the Coquihalla. Utility work planned between Harmon Rd and Vavenby Bridge Rd (Vavenby). Chance of snow 40%. as rain batters province, leading to mudslides and flood warnings", "Relentless rain causing flooding, road closures and evacuations across B.C. Youve got to be a survivalist, he says. 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]. minor construction | last updated Wed Mar 1 at 8:21 AM PST. Its highest altitude is the Pennask Summit (1728 m, 5760 ft, above sea level). Helmer Lake Highway 5, 24 km north of Merritt at Helmer Interchange, looking to the north. His "conviction that the route provided important benefits and an essential link to B.C. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Until Sun Mar 5 at 3:00 AM PST. 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. Variable clouds with snow showers. 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. Repairs are being made. And what is the % gradient? REDUCED SPEEDS IN EFFECT. [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. Discover our featured content. where is the smasher on the coquihalla - tourdefat.com 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. Road closed. Highway 5 proceeds northeast for another 107km (66mi), passing Vavenby and Avola en route to the community of Blue River: a popular heliskiing location. It is the highest point on the highway between the cities of Hope and Merritt. Photos: Coquihalla Highway sustains catastrophic damage premier", "New route changed the face of the province forever", "Construction of the Coquihalla: Still Amazing After 30 Years", "B.C. 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. 2-3cm of snow expected. The section of highway between Merritt and Kamloops is 72km (45mi) long. Compact snow. The original statistic should have read 3.3 million annual VKT/km, instead of 3.3 million annual VKT. 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? Safe travels! Chance of snow 30%. 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This is one of the most amazing stretches of roads in North America. Coquihalla, BC 10-Day Weather Forecast - The Weather Channel [22] DriveBC keeps up to date with reports on Coquihalla Highway conditions, including live webcams in several locations. Chance of snow 60%. The Coq starts near sea level at Hope and then gains over a kilometre in elevation in less than 50km distance. government says Highway 1 south of Hope should be reopened this. 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 .