The Coquihalla British Columbia Insult To Road Building

The Coquihalla Highway, notorious for its treacherous conditions and dangerous twists, has gained a reputation as an insult to road building in British Columbia. This article delves into the challenges faced during its construction, the ongoing problems it poses, and how it has become an alarming concern for both locals and travelers.

Background

The Coquihalla Highway, also known as Highway 5 in British Columbia, stretches for 186 kilometers (116 miles) through the mountainous terrain of the province. The construction of this highway started in the late 1980s and was completed in 1986.

Its purpose was to connect the Lower Mainland region with the interior of British Columbia, allowing for easier access to recreational areas and boosting the economic potential of the province. However, the challenges faced during its construction soon became evident.

The Coquihalla, British Columbia's Insult to Road Bulding

by Ted Campbell(Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1086 KB
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Construction Challenges

The Coquihalla Highway was built through some of the most rugged and challenging terrain in British Columbia. The region is known for its heavy snowfall, avalanches, and steep mountain slopes. These factors made constructing a safe and easily accessible road a significant challenge for engineers.

The highway required the construction of numerous bridges and tunnels to navigate through the mountains. The steep grade and hairpin turns further added to the difficulty of the project. Despite the best efforts of the construction teams, the end result was a road fraught with risks and dangers.

Risks and Dangers

The Coquihalla Highway poses a multitude of risks and dangers for both drivers and maintenance crews. The steep grades and hairpin turns make it prone to accidents, especially during winter months when snow and ice cover the road surface.

Avalanches are a significant concern along the highway as well, with snowslides frequently blocking the road and causing delays or even closures. The maintenance crews constantly battle against nature's fury to keep the road clear, but often face uphill battles.

Furthermore, the Coquihalla Highway experiences heavy traffic, especially during peak seasons and weekends. This places increased pressure on the road, leading to more wear and tear, and consequently, a higher risk of accidents.

Ongoing Concerns

Despite ongoing efforts to improve safety, the Coquihalla Highway continues to be a cause for concern. Multiple accidents occur on a regular basis due to its treacherous conditions, resulting in injuries and even fatalities.

Many locals and travelers alike are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of long-term solutions to address the issues posed by the road. Calls for major upgrades, such as widening the highway or implementing additional safety measures, continue to grow louder.

The Future

The future of the Coquihalla Highway is uncertain. While some argue that significant investments need to be made to improve safety, others question the feasibility of such projects given the challenging terrain and financial constraints.

Without a doubt, the Coquihalla Highway remains an ongoing insult to road building in British Columbia. The risks and dangers it presents demand immediate attention and action from both the government and concerned citizens.

The Coquihalla Highway, known for its dangerous twists and treacherous conditions, has become an insult to road building in British Columbia. The challenges faced during its construction, the ongoing risks and dangers it poses, and the frustrations experienced by locals and travelers demand urgent action to improve its safety. The future of this notorious highway remains uncertain, but one thing is clear - the Coquihalla Highway cannot continue to be an insult to road building.

The Coquihalla, British Columbia's Insult to Road Bulding

by Ted Campbell(Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1086 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	66 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Over fifty years consecutive British Columbia Governments have avoided building good highways in favor of doing it on the cheap. And it shows. We truckers have a name for the results. We call it "The Highway of Death" A made-for-television show called the Coquihalla "The Highway from Hell" for good reason. The star of that show, Jamie Davis calls the "Coq" The Bermuda Triangle of Truck Accidents"