[Newsbot]

Title: 1 dead, 10 injured in multi-vehicle crash on Coquihalla Highway
Category: Misc CDN
Posted By: Strutz
Date: 2017-04-03 18:00:33
Canadian

[Strutz]

It is an unpredictable highway that's for sure. The weather can change several times during a trip.

[herbie]

We're discovering why the railway abandoned that route long ago!

[Canadian_Mind]

It's a highway, accidents happen.

[Hyack]

The old Coquihalla road used to be a great route, until it was blocked off due to the highways construction. Only a one lane dirt road, it could take a couple days to go from Hope to Merritt. I heard it was open to snowmobiles, but I hope they reopen the route now the toll gates are gone, something to check out this summer.

[Canadian_Mind]

Hyack Hyack:

The old Coquihalla road used to be a great route, until it was blocked off due to the highways construction. Only a one lane dirt road, it could take a couple days to go from Hope to Merritt. I heard it was open to snowmobiles, but I hope they reopen the route now the toll gates are gone, something to check out this summer.

You speak off those backroads fondly, Hyack. I still haven't had the opportunity to check out the road you mentioned that goes from Princeton to the tolls.

[Hyack]

Canadian_Mind Canadian_Mind:

You speak off those backroads fondly, Hyack. I still haven't had the opportunity to check out the road you mentioned that goes from Princeton to the tolls.

I'm just starting to plan this years first road trip, any time you're ready to head out let me know and I'll gladly tell you where to go, I'll even give you a hint as to where to get some good maps of the area.

[Canadian_Mind]

If I actually get enough time off to take my time going home, I'd love that!

[BartSimpson]

herbie herbie:

We're discovering why the railway abandoned that route long ago!

The railroad right of way is now being used as Nicola Cutoff Road. The highway uses a different right of way.

[xerxes]

Canadian_Mind Canadian_Mind:

It's a highway, accidents happen.

A particularly nasty highway though. I drove it once in late April and went through all four seas between Kamloops and Hope.

[Freakinoldguy]

My sympathies to the woman who died and her family. But it's not that big a problem. Drive according to the conditions, have the right tires, use a little common sense and you'll be fine. The stretch from Chilliwack to Vancouver is a hundred times worse than anything the weather can throw at you up on the Coq.

It's feking terrifying.

[Strutz]

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

My sympathies to the woman who died and her family. But it's not that big a problem. Drive according to the conditions, have the right tires, use a little common sense and you'll be fine.

If only more people followed that logic not just on the highway but on city streets too!

$1:

The stretch from Chilliwack to Vancouver is a hundred times worse than anything the weather can throw at you up on the Coq.

It's feking terrifying.

I have always hated that stretch from Chilliwack back into town. Actually, I found over the years that once you hit Hope coming westbound it gets crappy. It's been awhile since I've been on that stretch but I remember there being times when traffic was bumper-to-bumper and you get those assholes who will pass on the freaking shoulder to get to the next exit quicker.

OTOH there is the relief you feel when getting "beyond Hope" going eastward.

[Hyack]

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

My sympathies to the woman who died and her family. But it's not that big a problem. Drive according to the conditions, have the right tires, use a little common sense and you'll be fine. The stretch from Chilliwack to Vancouver is a hundred times worse than anything the weather can throw at you up on the Coq.

It's feking terrifying.

Even driving according to the conditions will not always guarantee you a save trip on the Coq, the conditions can change in a heartbeat, it's one highway where you have to be on your toes at all times. I agree with you on the stretch between Chilliwack and Vancouver but, the very worst stretch is from the Pt Mann bridge in to town, especially the piece of road by Burnaby lake, west bound in the morning and east bound after 3:00pm.

[Hyack]

Strutz Strutz:

I have always hated that stretch from Chilliwack back into town. Actually, I found over the years that once you hit Hope coming westbound it gets crappy. It's been awhile since I've been on that stretch but I remember there being times when traffic was bumper-to-bumper and you get those assholes who will pass on the freaking shoulder to get to the next exit quicker.

OTOH there is the relief you feel when getting "beyond Hope" going eastward.

Which is why I, more often than not, will take Hwy #7 from Hope to Coquitlam, just rejoining Hwy #1 west of the Pt Mann bridge, or staying on the Lougheed Hwy into town.

[xerxes]

Hope to Chiliwack is still the annoying part for me. There's been an increase in traffic in recent years but not an increase in road capacity. And throw in the crazy Chiliwack drivers...

At least after 232nd there's more lanes now to handle all the cars and the BC gov't wants to extend the extra lanes all the way to 264th which is a good idea.