Defending our highways against avalanches, floods, slides and other forces of nature.
BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
The Province
Watching an avalanche from a helicopter... Our crews recently captured video footage of two methods of avalanche control at separate ends of the province: Bear Pass and Kootenay Pass. And it's pretty cool. Take a look at the link below.
Fort Nelson
We moved the Fort Nelson River Bridge 10.5 metres, last month, so a new two-lane bridge could be built on the foundations. Watch the 17-hour big bridge move time-lapsed into less than two minutes
Day and night. VSA maintenance clearing the way on the #Coquihalla last night. #bchwy5 #merritt #hopebc #vsa #roadmaintenance #shiftintowinter
It's early in the winter driving season, and we're all getting used to the white stuff again, but we've had a couple incidents lately where travellers have tried to pass snow plows on the right hand side while the plows are actively working. Don't do this. - See more at: http://tranbc.ca/2015/11/26/a-winter-reminder-dont-pass-snow-plows-with-flashing-lights/#sthash.S7XzwrhI.dpuf
Spending a little extra time clearing your entire vehicle goes a long way to improving everyone's winter driving safety. Watch this quick video to see just how easy it is. - See more at: http://tranbc.ca/2016/01/06/15-seconds-to-safety-clearing-snow-off-your-vehicle/#sthash.4gGGRWHJ.dpuf
Don't Let
Don't Let Winter Get Nasty: Get #StormReady (YouTube playlist)
U Bahn Station
Old Trains
Steam Trains
Train Tracks
Train Pictures
Avalanche tunnel / BC Canada
Charlene Bernicky
Need This
No need to be a scaredy cat if you've got an emergency plan! Download PreparedBC's fill-in-the-blanks household emergency plan. Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC to learn more!
Extreme weather has severely impacted BC highways, over the last five years.
April 15, 2015 -- Rock stars were at work on Ferrabee Wall, on Hwy 1 south of Hells Gate. So far, 134 truck loads of rock had been removed! Work is ongoing at this spot, 11.5 km west of Boston Bar. A rockfall warning is in place and the route may be closed without advance notice to ensure the safety of motorists. Please check DriveBC.ca frequently for the latest.
Kitimat
Ski Hill
When 168 cm (5'6") of snow fell in the Terrace-Kitimat area between February 5 and 7 (4pm-4am, 2015), local maintenance contractor Nechako Northcoast brought in heavy equipment from outside, such as graders, loaders, and three snowcats. Typically used on ski hills, these cool cats are designed to move very large amounts of snow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=18&v=GF4akjE2l1E
Damage from flooding in Peace Region, in 2011. Some bridges were damaged or washed away, and more than 280 sites affected, See more: http://tranbc.ca/2012/01/09/from-saturated-to-solid-peace-roads-repaired-for-winter/
Quesnel
April 2, 2015 - West Fraser Road is closed in both directions at Deep Creek Hill (21.5 km south of Moffat Bridge in Quesnel) Am alternate route is available and posted with signage. Expect the road to be closed for an undetermined amount of time.
Avalanche cleanup on a B.C. highway.
Snow cat near Kitimat.
Scale of an avalance
How Much Snow
Rock Face
Avalanche fencing being installed high above Hwy 16 near Terrace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmOZVd3w6Xc
Fall Wraps
Debris removal work from the slide at Ocean Falls wrapped up on Feb. 22, 2015. Seeding was also done (greenery at right of road) to stabilize the soil.
Descending 35 Mile avalanche path, high above the Skeena River.
Debris slide at Ocean Falls, as photographed on Feb. 3, 2015. About 30,000 cubic metres of mud and rock fell, blocking access to the community of about 25 people. Heavy equipment and personnel had to be barged in from Shearwater to clear the slide.