A technician deploys explosives to trigger avalanches, as part of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s avalanche control program. (Image Credit: BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)

By James Peters

Avalanche Control

Province plans four-hour closure on Coquihalla Highway Wednesday for avalanche control

Jan 7, 2020 | 2:11 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — Closures along the Trans Canada Highway for avalanche control work are common in British Columbia; much more rare are avalanche control closures along the busy Coquihalla.

That’s just what the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is planning tomorrow afternoon.

The Coquihalla will be closed in both directions between Hope and Merritt Wednesday (Jan. 8) between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

According to a ministry news release, the control will take place on an area from 11 kilometres south of the Great Bear Snowshed to nine kilometres north of the Coquihalla summit.

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The ministry says the proactive work is required because of heavy snowfall over the past several weeks. Wednesday’s project is meant to “remove weak layers of snow and ice, and reduce the overall depth of the snowpack”.

The province advises drivers to alter their travel plans to detour around the closure.