Reopening the Coquihalla after the 2021 Atmospheric River Event

2023 PMI Large and Mega Project Award Winner

by the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Yellowhead Road & Bridge (Nicola) Ltd., Emil Anderson Maintenance Co. Ltd., Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council (NNTC), Sto:lo Nation, and Okanagan Nation

In November 2021, record-breaking rainfall led to catastrophic flooding throughout British Columbia, Canada. The unique weather event – labeled an atmospheric river – triggered widespread flooding, fatal mudslides, and collapsed major highways, roads, and bridges. The resulting damage to highway infrastructure forced every major connection between the Greater Vancouver area, the Interior of BC, and Canada to close, including Highway 5 (‘The Coquihalla’). Gas was rationed and food supply was limited. In five weeks, more than 300 workers using over 200 pieces of equipment moved more than 400,000 cubic meters (523,000 cubic yards) of gravel and rock and repaired 27 damaged sites, including 15 washouts, seven bridge structures, and five debris flows. The Coquihalla reopened to commercial vehicle traffic on December 20, 2021, just 35 days after the catastrophic event. The project team continued to work 24 hours a day until the highway opened to all traffic on January 19, 2022.