Sinkhole on the Coquihalla, south of the Great Bear Snowshed. (Image Credit: Ministry of Transportation and Transit)
Coquihalla Sinkhole

UPDATE: Coquihalla to close in both directions overnight Friday for ‘urgent’ sinkhole repairs

Jun 6, 2025 | 12:48 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — (UPDATE 4:00 p.m.): The Coquihalla Highway will be closed in both directions between Hope and Merritt overnight Friday (June 6) to allow crews to work on “urgent sinkhole repairs.”

The Ministry of Transportation said the closure in the southbound lanes will take effect at 9:00 p.m. Friday night, with the next update expected to come at 10:00 a.m. Saturday.

Both northbound lanes of the highway between Hope and Merritt were closed around 8:30 p.m. Thursday (June 6) night, while the southbound fast lane was closed at noon Friday “as a precaution.”

“As repairs to the northbound lane proceeded on Friday morning, it was determined that southbound lanes could also be affected,” the Ministry of Transportation and Transit told CFJC Today, in a statement Friday morning.

The Ministry also said the sinkhole, located about 80 kilometres south of Merritt, was the result of “an isolated incident” related to work being done by Trans Mountain. They note it was discovered by the highway maintenance contractor, Yellowhead Road and Bridge Nicola.

“Crews responded quickly and determined that the sinkhole was an isolated incident related to Trans Mountain’s pipeline boring work in the area,” the ministry statement said. “Repairs began immediately, and good progress was made overnight.”

In a statement to CFJC Today, Trans Mountain said it is investigating the cause of the sinkhole.

“Trans Mountain is aware of the sinkhole that developed near the Box Canyon Chain-Up area on the northbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway on the evening of Thursday, June 5,” the Trans Mountain statement said.

“Trans Mountain crews are on site, actively supporting repair efforts to help ensure public safety and minimize disruption to highway users. Pipeline operations remain unaffected and continue as planned.”

People are being told to use Highway 1 or Highway 3 as a detour, though there have been reports of heavy traffic on those highways owing to the extra volume of vehicles. The Ministry also said that no commercial vehicles will be allowed on Highway 8 when the Coquihalla is shutdown in both directions.

“There is no timeline for repairs [to be completed] or for reopening,” the Ministry said. “Drivers should expect delays with the additional volume on those routes and drive accordingly.”

This is a developing story, and more information will be provided once it’s available.