As of Sunday evening June 1, at 7:40 p.m. Highway 5 north of Blue River reopened to single-lane, alternating traffic following severe flooding on May 31. Recovery and repair are now in progress.
Drivers are still being warned to watch for, and obey, traffic control personnel, and to expect delays.
The flooding took place at the Chappell Creek Rec Site, 30 kilometres north of Blue River, on Saturday (May 31).
Ian Mandrusiak, the area superintendent for road contractor Emil Anderson, spoke with Black Press about the flooding on Sunday (June 1).
"I can tell you that we have three locations that flooded north of Blue River where the river has overflowed, with debris flow that blocked culverts which caused some undermining of the road and blockage of the culverts on Saturday night," he said, noting that one location was at Chappell Creek.
"Two kilometres north of that we had another washout area, with very minimal undermining of the road. The Allan Creek snowmobile pullout is the third site. This has impacted not just our road infrastructure but also some of the Trans Mountain culverts, that were also plugged with debris.
"One of the Trans Mountain access roads is washed out completely. They are aware and have crews on site, as well as Telus and Hydro infrastructure which may be compromised, and they are currently inspecting all of the sites."
Mandrusiak said that Emil Anderson Road crews are in the recovery process at this time.
"Once the highway was opened to single lane alternating then it reverts to recovery. As of right now we're in three spots doing recovery.”
Drivers in the area are urged to watch for, and obey, road control crews. For more information go to www.drivebc.ca
