Winds SSW at 10 to 15 km/h. I am now glued to the TV show Highway Thru Hell and have a much better understanding of the miss-adventures of travel along the Coquihalla and how easily accidents can happen. The ascent is particularly steep after passing . Brenda Mine West Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector), about 22 km west of 97/97C Junction, looking west. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. To quote Highway from Hell's Jamie Davis, I cant criticize the Coquihalla. Good info, glad I dont have to drive it this winter (no tourists or school trips!) Initial descent is posted at 8% but it's really more than that. The pass is named Kw'ikw'iya:la in the Halq'emeylem language used by the Stl, which means "stingy container" and refers specifically to a fishing rock near the mouth of what is now known as the Coquihalla River. The Coquihalla Highway starts south of the junction with Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) situated at the uninhabited region of Othello. Appreciate the suggestion. The original statistic should have read 3.3 million annual VKT/km, instead of 3.3 million annual VKT. It was a mistake to take the toll off the Coquihalla hwy. Also if the steepest part of the Coquihalla between Hope to Merritt is the Smasher, is there an equivalent between Merritt and Kamloops? 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. Tucked away in southern British Columbia, make sure you get your vehicle and yourself well-prepared before driving this road. There isnt actually a single number to answer the question, because freezing levels very so much in the mountains around the Coquihalla. The next issue of Driving.ca's Blind-Spot Monitor will soon be in your inbox. Go prepared, or go home. It looks like the statistics presented on the page dont go back to 1986, when it originally opened, but you might be able to reach out to ICBC for more information. 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. Highway 5, southbound. Variably cloudy with snow showers. 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). Part of the Highway 5, the road is193 km (119 miles) long, running north-south from Kamloops to Hope via Merritt. 35km (22mi) north of Othello, after passing through five interchanges, Highway 5 reaches the landmark Great Bear snow shed. This rock is a good platform for spearing salmon. Chance of snow 50%. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. an accident) or some other factor? Coquihalla Highway is one of the worst roads in winters Coquihalla Highway is an extreme freeway located in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province. Plus the elevation means that it's frequently covered with snow and ice. [3] Now free to drive, at the Coquihalla Lakes junction, the highway crosses from the Fraser Valley Regional District into the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. [6], In the 1960s, the Merritt Board of Trade began lobbying the B.C. I was wondering if you had the information on the percent grade climbing up Surrey Lake Summit. Vehicle recovery between Inks Lake Rd and Chuwhels Mountain Rd for 4.0 km (13 to 9 km south of Kamloops). Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Hi Sarah, It is so-named because near Hope, it generally follows the Coquihalla River, for about 60km (37mi), and uses the Coquihalla Pass. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Low -4C. Zopkios Northbound N Hwy 5, northbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit looking to the north. Hope that this helps! The toll booth once marked the halfway point of the formerly tolled Hope-to-Merritt portion of the highway. Periods of rain except periods of snow near the summit. minor incident | last updated Sat Mar 4 at 6:32 AM PST. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Depending on what you want to see (all closures in BC? 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. After leaving the concurrency it immediately crosses the South Thompson River and enters a First Nations Reserve, temporarily leaving Kamloops city limits. Low -11C. I will be driving that route every other month during the non-snow tire months. The Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area is located at the top of the pass on the Coquihalla Highway, approximately 45km (28mi) north of Hope. Nonetheless, anyone planning a winter road trip is advised to check with their provincial highway services for road and weather reports. North of Barriere it encounters a junction with Highway 24 in the village of Little Fort. minor construction | last updated Thu Mar 2 at 4:51 PM PST. We encountered an issue signing you up. Mostly cloudy. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Highway 5, southbound. '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. Watch premium and official videos free online. Chance of snow 60%. The list goes on. Highland Valley Road Highway 97C, at Highland Valley Rd, about 61 km north of Merritt and 46 km south of Ashcroft, looking north. Its totally paved. 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. Chance of snow 60%. 61km (38mi) and five interchanges north of the former toll plaza. GENERAL STATS Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Highway 5, in both directions. From 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST on Friday and Saturday. Zopkios - Hwy 5, southbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit, looking northeast. 1,244m (4,081ft) Coquihalla Pass. ", "Coquihalla Highway set to reopen to regular traffic | BC Gov News", "Highway Exits & Landmarks - Coquihalla Highway 5 Starts (Yellowhead Route)", Template:Attached KML/British Columbia Highway 5, 7 Things You Need to Know BEFORE Driving the Coquihalla and High Mountain Passes, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=British_Columbia_Highway_5&oldid=1134238496, East end of Hwy3 concurrency; south end of, Coquihalla Lakes Rest Area (former site of toll booths), Coquihalla Lakes Road Britton Creek Rest Area, South end of Hwy1/ Hwy97 concurrency; north end of, North end of Hwy1/ Hwy97 concurrency; Hwy5 exits freeway; exit numbers continue on Hwy1, This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 17:46. Considerable clouds early. The B.C. 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. Thanks for reading. Long steep grades will have large units using brakes and pulling hard going up hill. I think that publishing the annual VKT would be more meaningful to the general public. So when we said 1150 mm falls as snow, then thats the water equivalent of the snow. 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. Winds light and variable. The heartache in Daviss voice was palpable as he described the accident scene. 2023 Driving, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. If youre mired in the white stuff, so are rescue services, including ambulances, tow trucks and taxi cabs. Coquihalla Lakes S Hwy 5, 61km south of Merritt, looking to the south. Chance of snow 60%. High 1C. Snow level 1200 metres. I would appreciate your clarification of this statistic. High 3C. 2 Years NO highway should be demonized because of the idiots who dont know what they are doing. Hi there Cass thanks for your question. 5 min read. It also experiences extreme snowfall rates, with accumulation sometimes exceeding 10 cm per hour. Copyright 2023, Province of British Columbia. Safe travels. ADVERTISEMENT From there it proceeds 109km (68mi) further north through the heart of the Columbia Mountains. At the top of this website, you provided good general statistical information. Kw'ikw'iya:la (Coquihalla) in the Halq'emeylem language of the St:l, is a place name meaning "stingy container." The Coquihalla Highway - Phase 1, Hope to Merritt - was completed in time for Expo 86 in 1986. Lane Closure. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. Chance of snow 60%. [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. Winds light and variable. Without knowing exactly the location you are referring to exactly, we would guess that one of these is what youve seen. And what is the % gradient? Is it true Surrey Lake Summit was formerly called Clapperton Lake Summit? can be used for maintenance on other BC highways. If Hell was cold I'd agree with them. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. 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. Please select the number of verifiable months youve been driving professionally using your Class A CDL within the last 3 years. The ascent is particularly steep after passing northbound through the Great Bear snow shed. Between Hope and Kamloops, Highway 5 is known as the Coquihalla Highway (colloquially "the Coq"; pronounced "coke"). Variably cloudy with snow showers. [7][10] The total cost for the highway between Hope and Merritt was approximately $848 million. Snow deposit removal between Brenda Mine Rd and Pennask Summit for 10.1 km (Pennask Summit). Starting Thu Mar 9 at 9:00 AM PST until Thu Mar 9 at 4:00 PM PST. In short, it all comes down to preparation, and this is what Davis really emphasized. #Coquihalla 2:20pm March 3 So how does one ensure survival in such an epic struggle? It refers to a fishing rock near the mouth of what is now known as the Coquihalla River. From south to north, the following intersections are observed along Highway 5:[29][30], Highway 5 passing through Thompson Plateau. Without knowing exactly the location you are referring to exactly, we would guess that is what youve seen. High around 0C. I have not been able to find information on Surrey Lake Summit on the website. Variably cloudy with snow showers. But how well do you know this stretch of highway? Hes the constant that can be relied upon when self-reliance runs out. What are the concrete bunkers visible along the #5 highway between Hope and Merritt? Discussion in 'Trucker Videos' started by TractorTrailer, Mar 24, 2013. City folk drive out of Vancouver and forget that they have to go through a mountain pass, halfway up they are at the point of no return and arent equipped. And thats when things go wrong. The highway has since been fully reopened, allowing full traffic from Hope to Kamloops. 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. Low around -5C. Variable clouds with snow showers. 5 day. Sometime in March? Coquihalla Summit (el. Last updated Tue Feb 28 at 12:59 PM PST. Integrating BC Transportation Travel News Services and Products. Highway 5 is a 543km (337mi) northsouth route in southern British Columbia, Canada. Bottom line: be certain you can spend five hours or possibly a day or two by yourself in a snowstorm. Pothole Lake West Hwy 97C (Okanagan Connector), near Pothole Lake about 7 km east of Aspen Grove, looking west. Compact snow. A welcome email is on its way. Low around -10C. Check Weather and Road Conditions at the Great Bear Snowshed Highway Cam Road Condition Reports for the Coquihalla Hwy5 and Highway 97C The severe winter snow and winds threaten even the most experienced and best-equipped drivers. 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. At this time, we are not considering making the Coquihalla a tolled route. Highway 5 was the only highway in British Columbia to have tolls; a typical passenger vehicle toll was C$10. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing him on this very topic. Zopkios Southbound S Hwy 5, southbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit, looking southwest. Snowfall amount 5 cm near the summit. social media users statistics 2019 Thanks for your comment. You are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety. British Columbia is grappling with the aftermath of intense rainfall and floods, which washed away parts of major highways and forced people to evacuate from affected locations in the southern part of the province. His "conviction that the route provided important benefits and an essential link to B.C. Becoming partly cloudy later. Snow showers. Snow accumulations less than 2cm. Without your consent employers will not be able to contact with job offers, would you like to opt-in now? This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. This will be a much more convenient route for people who need to travel between the Lower Mainland and the Interior, and is another significant milestone in the province's recovery from the devastating storms. This information obtained from bchighway.com should not be used as a basis for making financial or other commitments. Its not like bombing around in Vancouver or Toronto, says Davis. Go prepared, or go home. Mountain pass in British Columbia, Canada, Southern approach to Coquihalla Summit as viewed from, List of mountain passes of the Cascade Range, "Editorials: Farewell to a prime politician", "Coquihalla Highway reopens after massive avalanche control operation", BC Ministry of Transportation and Highways Infopage, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Coquihalla_Summit&oldid=1138202497, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from November 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 14:53. Safe travels. The key phrase being: know before you go. Both passenger and commercial vehicles rely on it as a primary connection between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Today. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Interspersed among the chuckles and anecdotes, Davis imparted tremendous insight into what can go wrong when motorists are ill-prepared to take on Mother Nature in a battle that she usually wins. Wow, is David Poile ever rolling out the red carpet for his GM successor Barry Trotz. [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. Any information would be very helpful. to have this designation. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Specific highway corridor? The highway, varying between four and six lanes, 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. After separating from Highways 1 and 97, Highway 5 proceeds north for approximately 19km (12mi). Tomorrow. Winter driving is indeed dangerous, but that is more a reflection of the high elevation and mountainous terrain rather than the road itself. The Coquihalla approximately traces through the Cascade Mountainsthe route of the former Kettle Valley Railway, which existed between 1912 and 1958. Stay tuned. Its highest altitude is the Pennask Summit (1728 m, 5760 ft, above sea level). You can find detailed informations about: wind speed, wind direction, pressure, temperature, humidity and visibility at Coquihalla. In its whole length there is only one traffic signal, which is in the town of Valemount. It also provides highway travellers opportunities for viewing granite peaks, wildlife and historic features such as the Kettle Valley Railway and old Coquihalla Highway, both of which were earlier routes through the area.[5][3]. It proceeds northeast for another 107 km (67 mi), passing Vavenby en route, to the community of Blue River, and then 109 km (68 mi) further north through the Columbia Mountains, passing by the community of Valemount to its northern terminus at Tte Jaune Cache, where it meets Highway 16. Low -9C. 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. 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. Over heating vehicles is a common occurrence. Larson Hill N Hwy 5 at Larson Hill, 36 km south of Merritt, looking to the north. According to Sto;lo oral history, the skw'exweq (water babies or naiads, 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. Single lane alternating traffic will be 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. Winds light and variable. minor road condition | last updated Sat Mar 4 at 6:31 AM PST. Brace yourself winter is here. minor road condition | last updated Sat Mar 4 at 6:45 AM PST. We are looking into this for you. WIDE LOADS OVER 4.5 METERS USE BOTH SOUTHBOUND LANES AT BOTTLE TOP BRIDGE. What are the bunker looking things on the side of the highway? Coquihalla conditions today. On December 20, 2021, the Coquihalla Highway was reopened to essential traffic, with non- essential traffic being diverted towards Highway 99. Chance of snow 60%. Initial repair estimates include temporary reopenings consisting of temporary bridges, operational for early 2022 with full repair completed in September 2022. Edit your picks to remove vehicles if you want to add different ones.