Hemlock Valley Road Update

Thank you once again to everyone for your concern about Hemlock Valley Road.

Below please find a letter that was sent from the Ministry of Transportation in response to our Change.org petition (which garnered over 7,000 signatures) and other letters sent after the road washout.  As you'll read, the Ministry has already invested approximately $2 million to improve the washed-out portion of the road with another $1 million allocated to finalize the repairs this Fall.  As well, they have committed to spend up to $2 million more on other vulnerable parts of the road this Fall and will be undertaking an engineering review of the entire road which hopefully will set the stage for future improvements.

This is great progress and will help to ensure the safety of the thousands of families that enjoy the mountain each year.  It wouldn't have happened without you taking the time to sign this petition.  Thank you!

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I am writing on behalf of the Honourable Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, in response to your letter regarding Hemlock Valley Road. I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond.

I recognize the importance of Hemlock Valley Road to local residents and resort visitors. Ministry staff and our contractors worked around the clock to reopen the road following the washout and mudslide of January 31. As you probably know, the damage from the heavy rainstorm was significant and affected several roads and highways throughout the region.

The ministry hired an independent consulting firm, Associated Engineering, to draft a repair plan that includes drainage and safety improvements for the road. We have invested approximately $2 million in this work so far, and designs for final repairs at the rainfall sites are nearly complete. Another $1 million will be invested to complete the repairs this summer.

Additional engineering on the remainder of the road to target drainage and safety improvements will be funded to a further $1 million to $2 million and should be complete this fall. I appreciate that many Hemlock Valley Road users would like the road to be upgraded and fully paved. Although we have no plans to fully pave the road, we are repaving the damaged sections. These improvements will make the road more resistant to future damage associated with climate change. In addition, the ministry is undertaking an engineering review of the entire road to assess where future drainage and safety upgrades could be considered.

Should you have any questions, the ministry’s local District Manager, Ken Nash, would be pleased to help you. He can be reached at 236 478-1738 or at Ken.Nash@gov.bc.ca.

Thank you again for taking the time to write.

Sincerely,
Kevin Richter
Associate Deputy Minister