After suffering extensive damage from severe weather events in November 2021, Coquihalla Canyon Park, including the iconic Othello Tunnels, is scheduled to partially reopen to the public in early July 2024. The park’s phased restoration aims to strengthen its infrastructure against future climatic threats, with complete accessibility projected for 2025.
The initial phase of the reopening will allow visitors access from the park entrance up to the end of tunnel two. This section will feature a resurfaced and elevated trail, designed to prevent similar damage from future flooding events.
“Coquihalla Canyon Park and Othello Tunnels are extremely popular, and their spectacular beauty and unique features provide good reason,” George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, said in a press release.
The park, once a segment of the Kettle Valley Railway, bore the brunt of the damage in 2021 when atmospheric rivers caused flooding that affected over 30 sites, eroded local access roads, destabilized canyon slopes, and damaged the structural integrity of all five Othello Tunnels and their bridge foundations.
“We know people have been waiting a long time for the park to safely open. The damage to this park from the atmospheric river was extensive, and we are designing and rebuilding more resilient infrastructure so it can better withstand the impacts of climate change,” Heyman said.
Victor Smith, mayor of Hope, welcomed the news of the park’s reopening. Funding for the restoration, approximately CA$4.5 million, is largely provided by the Government of Canada’s Disaster Financial Assistance Fund. The project also involves collaboration with First Nations, archaeologists, and cultural heritage specialists to ensure the protection of archaeological and heritage values during the construction.
“The park is located right in our backyard and generates tens of thousands of visitors every year to our area. It played a huge role in the movie First Blood, which was shot in Hope in 1981,” Brian McKinney, team lead, Hope, Cascades and Canyons Visitor Centre and Museum, said.
Coquihalla Canyon Park offers a range of facilities to enhance visitor experiences, ensuring accessibility and convenience. The park features accessible picnic areas and both pit and flush toilets to accommodate guests.
A standout attraction is the 3.5km trail through the Othello Tunnels, which is an easy round trip on a flat, gravel surface, making it part of the Trans Canada Trail. For safety and to enhance the experience, flashlights are strongly recommended for visitors walking or cycling through the tunnels.