The Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) provided an update regarding the extensive flooding in the area this afternoon, which included Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) Director for District Operations Centre in Kamloops, who spoke about the damage to the many highway routes in the Southern Interior.
“The magnitude of these closures is impacting the safe movement and people of goods, we get that and we’re working hard to restore chains of supply,” said Bruce.
“This work that we’re doing we’re undertaking geotechnical assessments we’ve got tactical crews in the field now looking at prescriptions, and some of the early work is being done in the field right now.”
Heavy equipment has been staged and is ready to begin work as soon as affected areas are declared safe, and engineers and contractors are currently monitoring those sites.
Bruce noted that MOTI will deploy all available resources and that road repairs are a top priority. Help has been offered by various agencies and private businesses, so Bruce expects no lack of resources to undertake reconstruction and repair efforts as flood waters recede and sites are assessed.
The major corridors which have been impacted are:
Hwy 12: The slide area five kms from Lillooet has been cleared of debris, and the route reopened on Nov. 16.
Hwy 3: This is a priority for east-west travel, according to Bruce, and there is currently an evaluation underway. MOTI hopes to transition to single lane alternating traffic on the route by this weekend.
Hwy 5 Coquihalla: “That’s going to be closed longer term,” said Bruce.
“There’s really extensive damage at this point. We don’t have a forecasted opening.”
Hwy 1: Major damage has been sustained along this route and it is likewise expected to be closed longer term. Nicomen River Rd. was also washed out and crews and equipment have been deployed to join staff already on site. In this area MOTI is also working closely with CP Rail who rely on the road for access.
Hwy 8: There are multiple washouts between Merritt and Spences Bridge.
“That’s received really significant damage and will be closed longer term,” said Bruce.
Andrew Roebbelen, TNRD Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Information Officer said that the TNRD is aware of the extensive damage along Hwy 8, and the additional issues this has caused for residents in the area.
“Hwy 8 corridor (damage) has also affected power and communications infrastructure, we are aware that that corridor including Spences Bridge is without communications at this time, likely because of line damage along Hwy 8. Hydro crews have been up in the air assessing damage to poles and lines so they’ll be actioning that as soon as possible.”
BC Hydro repairs are complicated by a lack of bridges and roads, which limits access to power lines and poles.
Emergency Management BC and RCMP are working closely with the TNRD to assess the needs of those along Hwy 8, and to communicate with people in the Lytton area, who have been cut off from services. They are also monitoring the situation with residents who have been trapped by bridge washouts in Petit Creek and Spius Creek west of Merritt.
“If there are any immediate medical concerns, if there’s an immediate medical danger, contact 911 or your local emergency to have that actioned,” advised Roebbelen, regardless of whether you are accessible by road or not.
“Otherwise, if we’re talking about folks who may need medication or other supports they can give the TNRD a call so that we can action those to the appropriate agencies.”
The contact number for the TNRD EOC is: 250-377-7188.
