During the extensive flooding in Nov. 2021 that impacted the Southern Interior and Lower Mainland, numerous highways in those areas were heavily damaged and became impassable. The most substantially damaged route was Hwy 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge, where kilometres of the highway were completely destroyed across at least 18 separate locations, with 23 locations sustaining some damage.

While Hwy 1 Fraser Canyon, Hwy 5 Coquihalla, Hwy 3 Crowsnest, Hwy 7 Lougheed, and Hwy 99 Sea to Sky, were all repaired and reopened, work continues to restore access along the entirety of Hwy 8. 

The BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) reports that temporary repairs have now been completed at six locations:

– 17.3 km west of Mamit Junction (N’kwala)

– 18.5 km west of Mamit Junction

– 22.1 km west of Mamit Junction

– 24.9 km east of Spences Bridge

– 21.1 km east of Spences Bridge

– Curnow Bridge 

Work is ongoing at a further nine locations:

– 14 km east of Spences Bridge

– 15.3 km east of Spences Bridge

– Two sites 16 km east of Spences Bridge (9 Mile)

– 20.7 km east of Spences Bridge

– 6.6 km east of Spences Bridge

– 3 Mile Bridge

– Rattlesnake Bridge

– 1 km northeast of Spences Bridge 

An additional eight sites are slated for repair in the near future.

“We anticipate completing this phase – emergency access and temporary construction – in the spring,” reads a statement from MOTI.

“Most residents along the corridor have returned home thanks to the hard work and progress made by our crews. Our team will be working on sites where construction will be particularly complex due to the extent of the damage and the current site conditions.” 

The terrain along Hwy 8 made repairs more challenging than in other flood damaged areas of the province. 

“The steep slopes of this section of the highway made repairs challenging to navigate, as crews had to work at a safe distance while repairing the highway,” said MOTI of the repair work performed at 21.1 km east of Spences Bridge. 

“While it was no easy task, crews worked carefully and collaboratively to repair and restore this section of the highway as quickly and safely as possible.”