A popular tourist destination and historic location in B.C. has partially reopened after being closed for nearly three years.
The Othello Tunnels, near Hope, were heavily damaged after an enormous volume of water went through Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park in November 2021.
Back in December 2021, BC Parks area supervisor Rob Wilson told Glacier Media damage to the park was "quite extensive" and that "quite a bit" of the access road to the tunnels had been lost.
The storms sent trees and debris tumbling through the narrow canyon
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change closed the park due to safety and urged the public to stay out of the tunnels and off the trails.
The opening of the first portion of the park, two of the three tunnels, in Coquihalla Canyon Park needed to be pushed back a month as damage to rock anchors was discovered. The anchors needed to be reinstalled before finishing the rockfall protection.
On Aug. 19, the first phase of the tunnels reopened to the public.
People wanting to access the tunnels can enter the park from the main parking and explore the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) trail up to Tunnel 2.
The KVR Trail between Tunnel 2 and the Hope Nicola Trail are still closed as further rock work and bridge replacement work is needed.
The ministry projects that the rest of the park will reopen in 2025. The public can check BCParks.ca for the latest information before visiting.
The tourist attraction closes every winter to the public.
