Nearly all of Clearwater Valley Road from Highway 5 to Helmcken Falls will be re-paved this summer.
That’s according to an email from Hilary Barnett, highways area manager for the Clearwater and Barriere area.
Barnett sent the email to Carol Schaffer, Thompson-Nicola Regional District director for Area A (Wells Gray Country) for a community meeting held in Upper Clearwater Hall on Thursday evening, May 18.
The local area manager had planned to attend the meeting but had to cancel because she was busy helping with the response to flooding elsewhere in the southern Interior.
“I do sincerely wish I could make it,” she said. “As always, please advise anyone that they are free to contact me should they have any comments, questions or concerns they would like to discuss.”
Although the southernmost portion of Clearwater Valley Road is within District of Clearwater, responsibility for the road remained with the provincial government when the community incorporated (as did Highway 5).
Sections such through first, second and third canyons where the pavement is relatively new and in good condition will be left as they are, Barnett said in the email.
There is no construction schedule as yet, but paving tentatively will begin in late July or early August.
Crushing and aggregate production started in Brookfield Pit (on Camp 2 Road in Clearwater) last week.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will coordinate with BC Parks and the parks contractor regarding scheduling and traffic management.
Bumps and dips in the road have been a concern for area residents. Barnett said there would be about eight base repairs completed as part of the project to fix some of the road’s structural issues.
In addition to the paving, Argo is to complete more ditching this season as well.
Parking for visitors to Moul Falls was another concern raised by area residents. Quite often the existing parking lot is full, resulting in people parking on the main road.
The parking lot is under the Recreation Sites and Trails branch of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, she pointed out.
There will be a coordinated effort to improve the situation between BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails, with support from her Ministry, she said.
Other items of interest Barnett reported included that paving on Highway 5 from Little Fort to Barriere
will take place this year, as well as from Hole in the Wall to McMurphy Station.
Construction of new passing lanes at Darfield will begin this year. Clearing, fencing and utility moves are already taking place.
