At least 100 sections of provincial roads and highways will require repair after record rainfall in the Peace Region this week. Transportation Minister Todd Stone said in a statement that the damage is extensive.
“Our government is working around the clock to support local authorities and First Nations by organizing necessary resources to respond to the flooding emergency in Northern BC,” Stone said.
Stone says full and partial washouts as well as debris flows are affecting or completely blocking traffic. Five of the sites suffering significant damage are on Highway 97, west of Chetwynd.
Both Chetwynd and Dawson Creek are under states of emergency as flood waters recede and the extent of the damage becomes apparent.
Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier was in Dawson Creek this week:
Surveying the damage in #ydq #Dawson Creek. pic.twitter.com/mpqwfEAJsa
— Mike Bernier (@Mike_A_Bernier) June 17, 2016
Ministry engineers, construction experts and more than 100 pieces of equipment from around the province are headed to the region to being repairs. Stone says crews are already working from the north and south sections of Highway 97 near Chetwynd. The Ministry hopes to have the Pine Pass open to single lane, alternating traffic by the end of next week.
Drivers headed for north eastern BC are being urged to check DriveBC for updated information regarding closures and delays.
“Our government’s priority is the health and safety of all British Colmbians,” says Stone. “That’s why we will do everything possible as we perform repairs as soon as possible.”
This weeks rainfall broke historic records and pushed river flows to their highest levels in decades.
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