Work is underway to restore access on Highway 97 between Chetwynd and Mackenzie Junction and other priority routes throughout the Peace Region, following major floods and washouts caused by a one-in-40-year rainfall event.

Maintenance contractor crews and equipment are at work responding to erosion, flooding and washouts throughout the Peace Region.

Approximately 130mm of rainfall since Thursday evening damaged 58 sites on more than 40 roads throughout the Peace Region, including the Dawson Creek Dangerous Goods Route, Braden Road, Moberly Park Road, Highway 29 and Highway 97.

On Highway 97, over 16 separate segments of road have been damaged or completely washed out. Ministry engineers have been assessing the extent of the damage, developing recovery plans and mobilizing crews and equipment with priority on reconnecting severed routes. The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure joined ministry personnel today on an air assessment of the damage.

The rainfall warning has ended for the region. However, it will likely be weeks before the extensive damage is repaired.

For updated road closure information on Peace Region flooding and damage repairs, visit http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/Peace_Region_Advisory/

Motorists can also check DriveBC for highway closures and travel advisories at www.DriveBC.ca.

BACKGROUNDER

Peace Region Heavy Rainfall Closure/Partial Closure Update June 27, 2011- 6 am

South Peace:

Hwy 97 closed between Chetwynd and Mackenzie
Hwy 29 closed between Chetwynd and Hudson's Hope
Wildmare Rd Chetwynd Closed
Hayward Rd Chetwynd Closed
Moberly South Rd Moberly Lake Open to Single Lane
196B Landsfreid Rd Tomslake Limited access
Big Bam Rd Taylor Closed
217B North of #10 Willow Valley Groundbirch Closed
Stewart Lake Rd 275 Stewart Lake Closed
223 Rd Rolla/Dawson Creek Closed
208 Rd - Dangerous Goods Route Dawson Creek Closed
243X Rd Progress Closed
255 Rd Progress Closed
Braden Rd. Sunset Prairie Closed
Landry Rd. Rolla Closed

North Peace:

Rd 118A Haagsman Rd Hudson Hope Closed
Bison Rd 109 Cecil Lake Washout Open to Single lane
Morley Clarke Rd 250W Fort St. John Open to Single lane
Bison Rd 109 Cecil Lake Open to Single lane
Harmon Rd 177A Cecil Lake Open to Single lane
Cypress Road Pink Mountain Closed
271V Rd Ground Birch ClosedWrangler Rd Ground Birch Closed

Contact:

Jeff Knight
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-7707