First Nations communities along Highway 8 reconnected as route reopens to public

MERRITT — “The good news as of today is people will be able to drive from here in Merritt to Spences Bridge all along Highway 8 for the first time in nearly one year,” said B.C. Transportation Minister Rob Fleming.

On November 15, 2021 a one-in-250-year weather event hit the province of B.C., causing devastating flooding in the Nicola Valley. More than eight kilometres of Highway 8 was washed out.

Along with Highway 8, the Coquihalla, Highway 3 and Highway 1 were also damaged leading to approximately $250 million in repairs.

“About $100 million of that is on the Highway 8 corridor. Because of the extent of the damage there was so significant, the resources that were put into really restoring a missing highway in sections was more extensive that even the Coquihalla,” added Fleming.

(Image credit: Zachary Stewart/Q101)

Five First Nations communities line both sides of Highway 8, with many, including Cook’s Ferry, cut off from the rest of the valley after the storm.

“Highway 8 is more than a road to us. It is connection, it is spirit, it is a main artery within our nation,” said Cook’s Ferry Chief Christine Minnabarriet.

The reopening of the highway will help reconnect the communities not only with each other but with essential services in Merritt.

“We are happy to have that corridor open to connect families and bring them home. It has significant value to our nation — it provides connection to each other, our resources, hunting, fishing, gathering, even spiritual. But also to health care and other emergency services,” added Minnabarriet.

Representatives from Nicomen, Nooaitch and Shakan were also present and touted the importance of working together with Minister Fleming.

“To also look at strategies around armoring embankments, and where areas of vulnerability are based on literally centuries of living along that corridor,” said Fleming.

While the atmospheric river event was stated as once in a lifetime, the work completed will hopefully prepare the highway for future storms.

“It was built to a standard that you would never build to these days. Now were are using 21st Century durable, resilient roadbed with rock that was crushed locally. It’s built to a strong raised elevation,” said Fleming.

Construction continues on the highway with permanent repairs still underway. Minster Fleming could not provide a timeline for completion of the work.