Major improvements are coming to the Coquihalla Highway that will provide additional safety for the commercial trucking industry.

The province announced that the Box Canyon chain-up area, located about 30 kilometres north of Hope on Highway 5  will undergo a significant expansion to accommodate up to 70 commercial trucks. The project will also see the addition of new deceleration and acceleration lanes, washroom facilities, and parking.

Work will also begin on construction of a new chain-off area at the existing Coquihalla Summit Recreational parking lot. An extension of the third southbound lane near the Great Bear Snow Shed is also in the plans.

Photo Credit: TranBC

Trucks using Highway 5 during winter storms are required to use chains. Using chains helps reduce the number of accidents, saves lives and keeps the highway open. Expanding the Box Canyon chain-up area will provide a safe place for truck drivers to put chains on their trucks and the new chain-off area will provide a safe place for them to take the chains off.

The projects are estimated to cost $17.6 million, with the Government of Canada providing up to $7.3 million and B.C. $10.3 million.