In a bid to get some of B.C.’s major highways repaired as soon as possible, crews already have heavy equipment staged in many areas that were damaged by floods and landslides.

That is according to Greg Bruce, the Deputy Director for the Ministry of Transportation Operations Centre in Kamloops.

“Images tell a thousand words of the scope of the impact. It is really significant,” he said, during an information session hosted by the Thompson Nicola Regional District.

“We’ve got agencies, government and private business all offering help right now. So we have got lots and lots of resources, it is just making sure that it is safe to get to work and get things done.”

Bruce says some of the early repair work in the field is already being done right now as geotechnical assessments are underway.

“We are of course going to deploy all available resources including using equipment from construction sites to ensure that roads are open as soon as possible,” he said. “Engineers and contractors are currently monitoring the affected sites and moving to repairs as soon as it is safe to.”

Update on Some Damaged Highways

Just how badly damaged are some of the highways in Southern B.C.?

“Highway 5, the Coquihalla that is going to be closed longer term. Really extensive damage, at this point we don’t have a forecasted opening. Highway 1, Spences Bridge, very major damage. Closed longer term,” Bruce said in the TNRD information session. “One side road of note there, Nicomen River Road has been washed out, and equipment and crews are being deployed as we speak. We’re also along Highway 1 working with CP Rail who rely on the road for access in a lot of cases.”

“Highway 3 is going to be the priority for access for east-west travel. Also we are in the middle of evaluation there and we are hoping to see that transition to a likely SLAT, so single lane alternating traffic hopefully by the weekend, if all goes well. Highway 8, Merritt to Spences Bridge, multiple sections of that highway have been washed out. That has received really really significant damage and will be closed for a longer term.”

In an update Thursday afternoon, Paula Cousins with the Ministry of Transportation said temporary repairs on the Coquihalla will take months. She says the initial assessment on the road has been complete.

As well, the BC Government has also cleared a path on Highway 1 from Boston Bar to Hope BC but for emergency use only.

For some photos showing the damage to B.C.’s highways, go here.