Photo: Transport P.X Crews protecting the Othello Bridge on BC Highway 5 on December 1, 2021 Work to repair a damaged section of the Coquihalla Highway destroyed by last November’s storms will begin soon. Houses and roads in Othello, just outside Elpida, 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 the river weather events that severely damaged BC’s highway infrastructure. “We are working quickly to build permanent infrastructure to a better, more climate-resilient standard that will protect the movement of people and goods through our province. I am happy that this contract is a joint venture that includes Chawathil First Nation,” he says. Crews will focus on restoring approximately 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 upgrading culverts to cope with future extreme weather events associated with climate change, widening shoulders and installing dams, as well as rehabilitating the barrage and spillways. Chief Rhoda Peters of the Chawathil First Nation says they are proud to be a part of the project. “Being involved in work that is being developed in our traditional territory shows that we are moving forward with business for Chawathil,” says Peters. “So many highways, railroads, pipelines and hydroelectric lines cross our lands without agreements with our leaders. Today, our nation can sit at the table and work together as the future unfolds rapidly before us.” The repairs will take place three kilometers north of the junction of Highway 3 and Highway 5. They are expected to be completed in the fall. Travelers should expect some delays throughout construction. However, efforts will be made to minimize traffic disruption during peak hours.
