Permanent repairs to Othello
Alanna Kelly – July 28, 2022 / 16:34 | History: 377698
Photo: Transport BC
Crews protecting the Othello Bridge on BC Highway 5 on December 1, 2021
Repair work will soon begin on a damaged section of the Coquihalla road that was destroyed by the storms last November.
Othello’s houses and roads, on the outskirts of Hope, were washed away and destroyed during the floods. The storms left many people homeless and wiped out important infrastructure.
Permanent repairs to the Othello section of Highway 5 are expected to begin in early August, the BC government announced Thursday.
The $4.6 million contract has been awarded to Emil Anderson and Chawathil First Nation.
In a statement, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming said the announcement marks a “milestone” in the province’s recovery from atmospheric river events that severely damaged B.C.’s road infrastructure.
“We are working quickly to build permanent infrastructure to a better and more climate-resilient standard that will protect the movement of people and goods across our province. I am pleased that this contract is a joint venture that includes the Chawathil First Nation,” he says .
Crews will focus on restoring about 460 meters of southbound lanes that were washed out. During the storms, 20 properties were damaged and seven bridges collapsed.
The work will also include replacing and upsizing culverts to accommodate future climate change-related extreme weather events, widening shoulders and installing barriers, along with restoring the road barrier and spillways.
Chief Rhoda Peters of the Chawathil First Nation says they are proud to be a part of the project.
“To participate in the work that takes place within our traditional territory shows that we are moving forward with business for Chawathil,” says Peters. “So many roads, railroads, pipelines and water lines cut through our lands without agreements with our leaders. Today, our nation is able to sit at the table and work together as the future unfolds at a rapid pace before us.”
The repairs will be done three kilometers north of the intersection of Highway 3 and Highway 5. They are expected to be completed in the fall.
Travelers should expect some delays during construction; however, efforts will be made to minimize traffic disruption during peak hours.