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. The Southern Yellowhead highway is the northern section of Highway 5, this section is 314km (195mi) long. Bottom line: be certain you can spend five hours or possibly a day or two by yourself in a snowstorm. 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. Can you tell me the amount of fatalities on this pass since it opened? Its totally paved. That's a LOT of white stuff coming down. The travel time between Hope to Kamloops is approximately 2 hours. We have the information but it is in a graph format and this platform wont support graphics in the comments. We are looking into this for you. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. I would like to know, too. Chance of snow 40%. Sunshine and clouds mixed. Once the roads are passable, Davis or one of his drivers will come back with gas, but be prepared to pay. minor incident | last updated Sat Mar 4 at 6:32 AM PST. Thank you! Zopkios Northbound N Hwy 5, northbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit looking to the north. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure shares with you what we do and why we do it. an accident) or some other factor? Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Chance of snow 40%. 's infamous 'Highway Thru Hell'. Road closed. It is typically open all year round, with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions. Please select the number of verifiable months youve been driving professionally using your Class A CDL within the last 3 years. Traffic pattern changed back to 2 lanes each direction. Pothole Lake West Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector), near Pothole Lake about 7 km east of Aspen Grove, looking west. The ascent to the Coquihalla Summit is very steep, especially from the south. Coquihalla Lakes S Hwy 5, 61km south of Merritt, looking to the south. 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. Unless my logic is incorrect, something is wrong here. I know you said 235cm snowpack but I doesnt specify how much snow actually falls annually. Winds SW at 10 to 15 km/h. So how does one ensure survival in such an epic struggle? Snow level 1200 metres lowering to 900 metres in the afternoon. Highway 5 was the only highway in British Columbia to have tolls; a typical passenger vehicle toll was C$10. Over heating vehicles is a common occurrence. Expect a fee of $200 or more to relieve the empty feeling. Coquihalla Great Bear Snowshed S Hwy 5, Great Bear Snowshed looking to the south. 's Interior helped to convince reluctant Cabinet members of the necessity of the third route to the Interior". 2-3cm of snow expected. 1,150mm is a measly 1 meter and 15 cm . Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport. 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. 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. Nov. 15, 2021. It passes an important junction for Adams Lake in the settlement of Louis Creek before entering the town Barriere. Stunningly beautiful in the Summer! Winds E at 10 to 15 km/h. Winds light and variable. (I found the info on Wikipedia, but no explanation). Touring the world with friends one mile and pub at a time; southlake carroll basketball. If the total distance travelled is 3.3 million km, this works out to less than 1 km per trip. Along with adequate provisions to maintain ones warmth and energy, there are the obvious car-related preparations, such as proper snow tires. The exit numbers on the Coquihalla are a continuation of those on Highway 1 west of Hope. A welcome email is on its way. The key phrase being: know before you go. Utility work planned between Harmon Rd and Vavenby Bridge Rd (Vavenby). Also I read that Surrey Lake Summit was formerly known as Clapperton Creek Summit. Avalanche control works planned Saturday morning followed by any required cleanup works. Highway 5, southbound. Winds light and variable. Long steep grades will have large units using brakes and pulling hard going up hill. Appreciate the suggestion. Title: Elevation and Grade Profile on Highway 5 - Coquihalla Pass Author: BC Ministry of Transporation Subject: Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Snow showers. 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 cant say for sure however, we can venture a guess that this term was coined by commercial truck operators who experienced one or more vehicle incidents at the summit/tunnel location. [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. The Trans-Canada Highway is your best bet for longest continuous stretch of road across Canada. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. Many lives have been lost or irreversibly altered on the Coq, and thats a difficult reality faced by Davis and his crew. Chance of snow 60%. Zopkios Southbound N Hwy 5, northbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit looking to the south. Stunning scenery and an engineering marvel. Low -4C. High avalanche hazard between the start of Highway 5 and Exit 286: Merritt - 97C for 109.3 km (Hope to Merritt). Coquihalla Highway is one of the worst roads in winters Coquihalla Highway is an extreme freeway located in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province. There is an installation of concrete blocks along the highway placed there to block avalanche flow. The Coquihalla Valley has long been a major transportation route from the coast to the interior. Pothole Lake East Highway 97C Weather Cameras (Okanagan Connector), near Pothole Lake about 7 km east of Aspen Grove, looking east. where is the smasher on the coquihalla. Coquihalla Summit to Othello Road Pipeline Construction July 2021 - September 2023. Coquihalla Summit N Hwy 5, about 7 km north of Zopkios Brake Check, looking north. High 2C. Read more about cookies here. 19962023 bchighway.com - All Rights Reserved. pentecostal assemblies of the world ordination; how to start a cna school in illinois In May 2022, I drove the Coquihalla to/from my way to Edmonton for the first time. Chance of snow 60%. The Canadian docuseries, which premiered in 2012, follows the daily operations of tow truckers working in British Columbia. The B.C. Davis went onto emphasize the importance of staying put, and not stepping onto the highway without proper reflective gear and safety equipment. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Variable clouds with snow showers. Its not like bombing around in Vancouver or Toronto, says Davis. social media users statistics 2019 Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Winds light and variable. The Coquihalla approximately traces through the Cascade Mountains the route of the former Kettle Valley Railway, which existed between 1912 and 1958. Chance of snow 60%. Jamie Davis behind the wheel of one of his heavy rescue tow trucks. 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. What you see are likely the old avalanche howitzer guns and bases that are roadside within avalanche paths. ADVERTISEMENT The ascent to the Coquihalla summit is very steep, especially from the south. Highway 5, in both directions. dangerousroads.org is not responsible for the information contained in these pages. Sometime in March? I will be driving that route every other month during the non-snow tire months. Brace yourself winter is here. Low -7C. Established in 1986 and clocking in at a respectable 159 hectares, Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park is a truly magical place. 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. Snow showers. There were 32 fatal crashes between 2004 and 2013 (according to ICBC). I plan on riding van to Calgary in June 2016. High 2C. Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Chance of snow 60%. From 1941 to 1953, the section of present-day Highway 97, Highway 97A, and Highway 97B, between Kaleden, just south of Penticton, and Salmon Arm, was formerly Highway 5. Nighttime driving is the worst for this, and the most dangerous. Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. minor construction | last updated Wed Mar 1 at 8:21 AM PST. Aspen Grove South Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector), at Hwy 5A Junction, near Aspen Grove, looking south. The pass is named after the Coquihalla River, from which the highway also derives its name. [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. 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. Our BC HighwayCams also have a weather feature on each cam which will give you an idea of forecasted weather along the route. Variable clouds with snow showers. Think AWD makes you invincible in the show? 10 day. The recreation area was established on September 4, 1987, with the goal of protecting the transition zone between the wetter coast and drier southern interior regions of the province. Chance of snow 60%. Part of the Highway 5, the road is193 km (119 miles) long, running north-south from Kamloops to Hope via Merritt. 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. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. 5 min read. I am puzzled by the statistic Annual vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT): 3.3 million which appears in the page about the Coquihalla. And what is the % gradient? Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. 2 Years Reinstate the toll to pay for highway maintenance; any $$ not used on the Coq. Low -11C. Careful preparation for your trip will ensure that if, and when, things do go wrong, you are prepared for the situation. In summer, because of the steady uphill grade of the highway, motorists must monitor their vehicles for overheating. 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. All rights reserved. In spring, summer or fall, it's a breeze, but in winter there are at least 400-500 accidents and plenty of fatalities. government says Highway 1 south of Hope should be reopened this. Regardless, Highway 5 is designated as a core route of Canada's National Highway System. Highway 5. Did you find this content interesting? Unfortunately, we dont have this information. Highway 5 proceeds northeast for another 107km (66mi), passing Vavenby and Avola en route to the community of Blue River: a popular heliskiing location. Winds light and variable. Thanks for connecting with us here. Variably cloudy with snow showers. I have driven the highway dozens of times, the majority being 97C, but lots to Vancouver too. el paso community college international students. Pennask Summit Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector). 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Compact snow. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. It's called British Columbia Highway 5 (Coquihalla Highway). Go prepared, or go home. Thanks for your comment! By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Prepare for the seasons worst with our winter driving guide. Last updated Tue Feb 28 at 12:59 PM PST. Signs along the Coquihalla Highway frequently warn drivers to be aware of sudden changes in weather. Highway 97C. 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. But being its a high mountain road, you have to be prepared and drive to the conditions. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Winds SE at 10 to 15 km/h. High 1C. We have sent this question forward to the area operations manager for review. You've probably driven it a few times, whether as a commuter or a BC traveller, or TONS of times as a commercial driver. Traffic volume on this section of highway is low compared to the Coquihalla and Kamloops sections of Highway 5. [1] It is the highest point on the highway between the cities of Hope and Merritt. The ascent to the Coquihalla Summit is very steep, especially from the south. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. There isnt actually a single number to answer the question, because freezing levels very so much in the mountains around the Coquihalla. Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! 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. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. 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. Coquihalla Conditions for Hwy 5 Coquihalla highway & Hwy 97C Okanagan connector for today. If Hell was cold I'd agree with them. A series of protected areas were established along the route in 1986. Washrooms are temporarily closed between Exit 228: Coquihalla Lakes Rd and Exit 221: Falls Lake Rd for 0.7 km (6 km north of Coquihalla Summit). [7] Surveying commenced in 1973 and in 1979 the first construction contract was issued for 4.5km (2.8mi) section of highway between Nicolum Creek and Peers Creek near Hope; however, work progressed slowly until 1984 when Premier Bill Bennett announced that the project would be fast-tracked so it could be completed to coincide with Expo 86. Thanks for reading. ), Collisions (when a vehicle crashes into something) and the subsequent investigation and clean up, BC day long weekend (29,114 on August 1, 2014), Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT): 10,569, 3.3 million Annual VKT/km (VKT/km represents the annual vehicle kilometres travelled, divided by the length of the roadway), Busiest traffic month: August (based on 2012 stats), The Coquihalla has twice or more the volume of traffic compared to any other highway that crosses a mountain path in BC (based on 2012 stats). After leaving the concurrency it immediately crosses the South Thompson River and enters a First Nations Reserve, temporarily leaving Kamloops city limits. Winds light and variable. A few snow showers developing later in the day. Make sure your vehicle is in good shape with summer coolant and good brakes and tires. At road level (1220m), we receive annually an average of about 1150cm of snowfall (235cm average snowpack). Snowfall of 2-3cm. [11][14] Subsequently, the toll station and signs were dismantled. 1,244m or 4,081ft) is a highway summit along the Coquihalla Highway in British Columbia, Canada. Hi there Cass thanks for your question. Discussion in 'Trucker Videos' started by TractorTrailer, Mar 24, 2013. Watch for traffic control. It's a 12-mile hill for those of you watching from the United States and might end up in British Columbia going down one of the more notorious hills, made famous by the TV series, "Highway thru Hell." So we're going to do today, we're going to give you a bit of information on the descent down the hill from the Coquihalla summit. Low -4C. It is a 186-kilometre (116mi) freeway, varying between four and six lanes with a speed limit of 120km/h (75mph) for most of its length. REDUCED SPEEDS IN EFFECT. It may be an avalanche that closes the road or a multi-vehicle pileup, or simply waist-deep snow that paralyzes everything on wheels. Precip is the water equivalent of the accumulated snowfall plus the amount of any rainfall, measured in mm. tom mcloughlin friday the 13th. 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. Can you guys find out the answer to Brians question? Low around -10C. 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. In British Columbia, motorists will find such information at www.shiftintowinter.ca. Lane closures and short duration traffic stoppages will be in effect periodically. Wait until morning. This year we were way below average, receiving only 674cm of snowfall. The road was constructed in 1941. The current Highway 5 is not the first highway in B.C. Hi Sarah, The Coquihalla Snowshed Protocol: 10 Steps to Highway Safety. 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 heavy rain will begin to transition to snow this afternoon as a cold front crosses the region and snow levels drop," the weather agency said. We hope that this is helpful. 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. It's one of the worst roads in all of North America in winters. At ridgetop (1660m) our average is 1850cm of snowfall, and this year we only received 1269cm. #Coquihalla 2:20pm March 3 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 . Winter tires are required on high mountain passes in BC until March 31st at the least. 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. Sadly, she was struck and killed by another motorist. Compact snow. So when we said 1150 mm falls as snow, then thats the water equivalent of the snow. Also the total trips in addition to the average per day these are impressive numbers showing the importance of the Coquihalla to travellers in BC. We hope that this information is helpful. Snow showers before midnight. Hello Randall thanks for connecting with us here. 3-7cm of snow expected. '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. Without knowing exactly the location you are referring to exactly, we would guess that is what youve seen. High -2C. Services for drivers are provided in the major towns. A big part of the show takes place along the Coquihalla Highway, a 201-mile stretch of road that . Route map: .mw-parser-output .side-box{margin:4px 0;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #aaa;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em;background-color:#f9f9f9;display:flow-root}.mw-parser-output .side-box-abovebelow,.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{padding:0.25em 0.9em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-image{padding:2px 0 2px 0.9em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-imageright{padding:2px 0.9em 2px 0;text-align:center}@media(min-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .side-box-flex{display:flex;align-items:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{flex:1}}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .side-box{width:238px}.mw-parser-output .side-box-right{clear:right;float:right;margin-left:1em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-left{margin-right:1em}}, British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, "Coquihalla Highway tolls dropped, says B.C. Its a fine highway. Terms | Chance of snow 60%. The Coquihalla approximately traces through the Cascade Mountainsthe route of the former Kettle Valley Railway, which existed between 1912 and 1958. Watch for slippery sections between Junction Hwy 97 and Pennask Summit for 33.0 km (West Kelowna to Pennask Summit). We want your experiences too! Becoming partly cloudy later. Environment Canada is calling for 15 to 25 centimetres of snow on the Coquihalla on Monday night along the section between Hope and Merritt. I note that you give average daily traffic at 10,569 which works out to 3.9 million trips per year. This website is where the B.C. Coquihalla conditions today The ascent to the Coquihalla Summit is very steep, especially from the south. We have sent you an email instead. Scattered snow showers during the evening. Expect minor delays. 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. | next update Mon Mar 6. Low around -10C. We are looking into this for you. On December 20, 2021, the Coquihalla Highway was reopened to essential traffic, with non- essential traffic being diverted towards Highway 99. I think that publishing the annual VKT would be more meaningful to the general public. Hello Anne and thank you for your message. 2.2m members in the Roadcam community. Variably cloudy with snow showers. minor road condition | last updated Sat Mar 4 at 6:31 AM PST. The Coquihalla is one of the most popular highway mountain passes in BC. For most of this section it is a 4 lane divided highway with several signalized intersections and a speed limit of 80km/h (50mph). Stay tuned. Repairs are being made. 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.