![]() ![]() The sheer rock cliffs, the violently rushing water below, and the remoteness makes it seem incredible that any infrastructure could be built in such an environment, let alone over 100-years ago with limited engineering equipment.įrom the parking lot, follow the signs along the wide trail near the Coquihalla River. The Coast Mountain Range proved quite a challenge to build a railway through and walking over the bridges in the Othello Tunnels area, it becomes quite evident how difficult it must have been. Today, the route no longer has railway tracks and has been restored as part of the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, a popular cycling route that follows the old train routes over trestles and through tunnels and is noted for it's gradual change in elevation. In the early 1900's, the Canadian Pacific Railway decided to connect the southern coast of British Columbia with the Kootenays and it was determined the best option was a route through the Coquihalla Gorge. The tunnels are located just east of the town of Hope, BC, in the Coquihalla Provincial Park and the trail is a short, flat 3.5km return route. #OTHELLO TUNNELS SERIES#The Othello Tunnels are a series of old train tunnels and bridges that cut through the solid granite walls and pass over the wild Coquihalla River. Othello Tunnels sustained signficant damage from rain storms and flooding and will be closed for the entire 2022 season. Have a tip or want to get in contact with Alanna Kelly? Email or c ontact her on WhatsApp or Signal. Anyone who tries to enter a closed provincial park can be fined up to $1,000,000 under the Park Act. The tourist attraction does close every winter but normally opens every year in May.īC Parks is asking the public to stay clear of damaged areas. The Othello Tunnels, near Hope, became part of the Kettle Valley Railway. Chief engineer Andrew McCulloch was tasked with building the railway over three major mountain ranges. Othello Tunnels were built in the early 1900s by the Canadian Pacific Railway and were hailed by some as an engineering feat.Īt the time, CPR wanted to link the Kootenay region with the B.C. The ministry also couldn't say how much repairs will cost, again noting further assessments are needed. #OTHELLO TUNNELS FULL#"An estimate for a reopening date can’t be provided until further assessments are undertaken, and the full extent of the repairs are understood,” says the spokesperson. ![]() Gates are being installed at the parking lot to limit parking and staff will be reinstalling tunnel gates to block access to the tunnels. The Ministry of Transportation is currently working on Tunnels Road and Othello Road, which is an important access routes for Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. "Staff are working to assess the damage and develop climate-resilient designs and plans to mitigate impacts from future extreme weather events,” the statement reads. ![]() Work that is being done by the ministry includes slope stabilization, installation of rockfall protection measures, facility inspections and repairing the damaged trail. "The trail through the Othello Tunnels and the associated access roads experienced extensive damage,” says the spokesperson.Īn initial geotechnical assessment of the park has been completed, but further work is required to ensure public safety in the area. Other parks that were heavily damaged - like Cultus Lake Park - have been able to open, but not Othello Tunnels. "BC Parks staff have been working tirelessly, alongside our partners Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ministry of Forests, and hired contractors, to rebuild and open as many parks and facilities as possible for the busy summer season,” says the spokesperson. The storms brought enormous volumes of water flowing through Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, sending trees and debris tumbling through the narrow canyon.īC Parks supervisor Rob Wilson said the tunnels also saw significant destruction.Ī spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy tells Glacier Media Coquihalla Canyon Park will remain “temporarily” closed. Quite a bit of access road to the tunnels had been lost, a spokesperson said at the time. The Othello Tunnels - a popular tourist destination - remains closed this spring.īack when the floods happened, Glacier Media spoke to BC Parks about the damage, which was described as “quite extensive” in the park. history that was heavily damaged during last November's storms won’t be opening any time soon. ![]()
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