Image: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure via Flickr /

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon

Hwy. 1 near Boston Bar to feature two-way traffic starting Friday, 2 years after floods damaged the road

Dec 14, 2023 | 7:44 AM

FRASER CANYON — The B.C. government says motorists traveling on Highway 1 north of Boston Bar can expect faster travel times with the opening of two-way traffic roughly two years after the November 2021 floods left severe damage.

The provincial government announced Wednesday (Dec. 13) that traffic will open to a single lane in each direction starting Friday, Dec. 15 on the Falls Creek Bridge (Jackass Mountain), located approximately 55 kilometres south of Spences Bridge, and north of Boston Bar.

A temporary single-lane bridge has been in place since a culvert washout in 2021. A new three-lane permanent Falls Creek bridge is under construction and will be completed next year.

“Getting to this phase of the Falls Creek project marks a significant achievement in our recovery from the 2021 atmospheric river and our efforts to enhance the safety and reliability of Highway 1,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Over the last two years, I have seen the remarkable dedication of our ministry staff, contractors, and Indigenous and municipal leaders who have come together to support the recovery from the unprecedented floods. Our government is committed to rebuilding safe and efficient infrastructure that can withstand future climate events.”

The provincial government says the new bridge will improve traffic flow and is built for better resilience against severe weather conditions.

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Drivers can expect reduced speed limits until construction is complete.

The provincial government says the Falls Creek culvert on Jackass Mountain was washed out during the floods in November 2021. Highway 1 through the Fraser-Thompson corridor closed between Spences Bridge and Hope on Nov. 14, 2021, due to damage caused by heavy rains. The government estimates more than 150 workers, using 80 pieces of equipment, moved in excess of 150,000 cubic metres of gravel, rock and other material to repair and reopen Highway 1 to vehicle traffic on Jan. 14, 2022 (Lytton to Spences Bridge), and Jan. 24, 2022 (Lytton to Boston Bar). There were 18 sites affected on Highway 1 between Hope and Spences Bridge, including four that required extensive temporary repairs to reopen.