Image: B.C. Parks / B.C. Parks says Othello Tunnels will remain closed for all of 2023 after it received an extensive engineering report that identified approximately 30 unique sites that require repairs. Although major debris has been cleaned out of the tunnels, major structures on bridges and tunnel portals have been undermined and are unsafe for public access. Given this work requires significant time and effort, a multi-year process is anticipated, and the park will remain closed in 2023, B.C. Parks said.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Othello Tunnels to remain closed in 2023

Othello Tunnels to remain closed in 2023, repairs will take years: B.C. Parks

May 5, 2023 | 4:37 PM

HOPE — A sought after destination east of Hope best known for its tunnels, stunning river views in the canyons below, and picturesque trails will remain closed the rest of the year and possibly into next year as well.

B.C. Parks wrote on its website Friday (May 5) that Othello Tunnels, also known as Coquihalla Canyon Park, will remain closed in 2023.

In a statement, B.C. Parks acknowledged the significant damage to local access roads, park trails, tunnels and bridges at Othello Tunnels following the atmospheric river events of November 2021. It says there are roughly 30 unique sites that require rehabilitation.

“Due to the extensive damage, we have been taking a phased, multi-year approach to assess the impacts,” B.C. Parks said. “We have received an extensive engineering report that has identified approximately 30 unique sites that require repairs. Although major debris has been cleaned out of the tunnels, major structures on bridges and tunnel portals have been undermined and are unsafe for public access.”

B.C. Parks says careful planning and design will be required to rebuild infrastructure at Othello Tunnels in a climate-resilient way, as is being done with ongoing work by B.C. Parks to rebuild the Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Park.

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“Given this work requires significant time and effort, a multi-year process is anticipated, and the park (Othello Tunnels) will remain closed in 2023,” B.C. Parks said.

Othello Tunnels wasn’t the only regional park impacted by the floods of late 2021. The provincial ministry says it has identified 24 different sites at Cultus Lake Park where it will need to repair and replace infrastructure. This includes trail work and culvert replacements to return the park to pre-storm conditions and protect it during extreme weather.

Needless to say, B.C. Parks says there’s still lots of unfinished work to be done in several recreation sites across the province.

“It will be a number of years before we can fully restore all of these parks to their previous conditions. The amount of work to assess, plan, and obtain necessary permits and assessments takes time, and we want to ensure we are rebuilding these areas with the best chances of withstanding more extreme weather,” B.C. Parks wrote on its website.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Othello Tunnels to remain closed in 2023, repairs will take years: B.C. Parks

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