BACKGROUNDER
2007TRAN0029-000943 July 24, 2007	Ministry of Transportation
THE COQUIHALLA HIGHWAY SYSTEM

The Coquihalla Highway system is the largest of four routes connecting the Lower Mainland with the Interior.

• The Coquihalla Highway project was announced in early 1977, 30 years ago.
• Construction began the following year.
• The first phase, 115 km between Hope and Merritt, opened in 1986.
• The second phase, 80 km between Merritt and Kamloops, opened in 1987.
• The third phase, the 108-km Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Peachland, opened in 1990.
• The Coquihalla has 178 major structures. They include:

o       52 bridges

o       29 large culverts

o       56 tunnels

o       1 snowshed

o       30 retaining walls

o       10 large informational signs

 

• The longest bridge is the Dry Gulch bridge – 265 metres
• The longest culvert is the Great Bear culvert – 176.2 metres
• The Great Bear snowshed is 284.7 metres
• The highest point on the Coquihalla system is Pennask Summit – 1,728 metres above sea level

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Media contact:	Rob Duffus Communications Director Ministry of Transportation 250 387-7787
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