Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Building back better after the 2021 storms

Nov 16, 2022 | 10:35 AM

FOR PEOPLE IN THE KAMLOOPS AREA, last November will be remembered for the devastating storm that destroyed roads, railways, bridges and other critical infrastructure in the Southern Interior and Lower Mainland. The atmospheric river caused damage that effectively cut off the Lower Mainland from the rest of Canada. Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon, the Coquihalla, the Hope-Princeton, Highway 12 and Highway 99 were all closed. Highway 8 from Merritt to Spences Bridge was all but destroyed, with more than 25 sections totalling over seven kilometers of highway lost into the Nicola River.

We all remember the impact. Families and friends were separated, communities were cut off from each other, and the supply chains we all rely on every day were suddenly compromised. However, the response was phenomenal. Our dedicated contractors, private companies, unions, Indigenous communities, local governments and Ministry of Transportation staff all worked around the clock to help keep people safe and tackle the huge challenge of getting our roads open again. It was through that shared effort that we were able to re-open highway after highway earlier than anyone predicted —including getting the Coquihalla open just five days before Christmas.

So where are we one year later?

We are turning the page, focusing on building back better and making sure our highway network is strong, resilient and reliable for the new climate reality we’re in. All our highways that were damaged are now open, and crews are busy working on permanent repairs. We recently completed the Othello section of Highway 5 the Coquihalla, restoring this section to four lanes. Permanent repairs to the Coquihalla at Bottletop Bridges, Juliet Bridges and Jessica Bridges are moving ahead. Contracts have been awarded for permanent repairs along Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon.

Last week we celebrated the re-opening of Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge. Communities along this corridor were all deeply impacted by the nearly year-long closure of the road. Some residents have only recently returned to their homes, and some are still waiting. The collaborative work of Indigenous partners and our crews who helped deliver the repairs and restore access to the Nooaitch, Shackan and Cook’s Ferry First Nations communities and all the other residents along Highway 8 is something that we can all be very proud of. Despite this important milestone, Highway 8 is still a construction zone – a reminder of the time, effort and expense it takes to rebound from climate-related events like last November’s.

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That’s why, as we rebuild our infrastructure, we’re engineering for resilience and climate adaptation, and designing with new, updated hydrological models. But we are also addressing land use, land management issues and other factors that can amplify climate events. We recognize that nothing happens in isolation and impacts to provincial highways can be the result of a combination of things such as snowpack, precipitation, land management and wildfire damage. We are taking a systems approach to keep people safe, protect our infrastructure and keep our supply chains open through unpredictable weather.

November has rolled around again, and the Interior has already seen the first blast of winter. Our highway crews and maintenance contractors are ready to tackle this season’s weather challenges with the same commitment and energy that we saw just a short year ago. In the meantime, don’t forget to take the usual winter driving precautions, including checking www.drivebc.ca for timely updates on road conditions.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.