Prince George contractor wins $37.7-million contract to repair washed-out road

QUESNEL, B.C. — Crews will start this spring on work to rebuild and realign the washed-out portion of B.C.’s West Fraser Road near Quesnel, B.C.

The work includes new road portions and a new bridge.

“Since flooding washed out West Fraser Road in spring 2018, we’ve been actively working on a long-term solution,” said Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure, in a press release. “Construction is anticipated to begin next month on a new alignment that will restore direct access to Quesnel and provide a reliable route for people who live and work in the area.”

Enviro-Ex Contracting Ltd. of Prince George has been awarded the $37.7-million contract to rebuild and realign the washed-out sections of the road. Crews will build a two-lane bridge over Narcosli Creek and 5.6 kilometres of paved two-lane road on a new alignment on the east side of the creek. When complete, the new West Fraser Road will avoid the active slide areas along the washed-out portions. Construction is scheduled to wrap up in fall 2023.

?Esdilagh First Nation has an agreement with the ministry to clear the site in preparation for major road construction. The logging work underway began in February. As well, the banks of Narcosli Creek will be protected with riprap (large rocks) to prevent further damage from the coming spring freshet, and that work is underway through hired local equipment.

Trouble for the road began in 2018 when high water from the spring freshet caused Narcosli Creek to erode five sections of West Fraser Road on the west side of the Fraser River, approximately 17 kilometres south of Quesnel. The road had to be closed due to the extensive damage.

Up to 150 vehicles a day normally use West Fraser Road to access the ?Esdilagh First Nation community, ranches, logging activities, farming lands and local residences. Since the washout, drivers have had to utilize a detour route via the Garner and Webster Lake road system.

Once the work is finished, Emergency Management BC will submit a claim to the federal government for partial reimbursement through Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.