A woman from Kamloops, British Columbia, expressed concerns about the dangerous potholes on the Coquihalla Highway, fearing that someone could be fatally injured due to the impact of these large holes. She is not the only one worried; other drivers, including a longhaul trucker, have also raised alarm about the hazardous conditions on Highway 5.
Kari-Anne Flatmark experienced a tire blowout after hitting a massive pothole on the Coquihalla near Hope, British Columbia, on January 10. Traveling at 100 km/h, the impact was so severe that it felt like being shot, according to Flatmark. Although there were no injuries, the incident cost her around $1,000 for new tires and repairs. Flatmark believes that if left unaddressed, these potholes could lead to fatal accidents.
Describing two of the potholes as the size of small bathtubs, Dave Duncan, the manager of Yellowhead Road and Bridge, responsible for maintaining a 140-kilometre section of the Coquihalla, emphasized the challenges of repairing winter potholes. Due to freeze-thaw conditions damaging the asphalt, Duncan’s crews have had to fix the same holes repeatedly this winter, sometimes up to 50 or 60 times.
Longhaul trucker Harman Sidhu echoed the concerns, stating that he encountered a series of potholes on the Coquihalla that led to a tire blowout. He criticized the lack of warnings or speed reductions for such hazardous road conditions, calling the entire highway a joke.
Drivers have been flocking to a tire repair shop in Merritt, with reports of potholes as wide as eight feet and four feet deep. The assistant manager at the shop, Jordan Pinto, noted the unusual uptick in visits due to the current situation, emphasizing the safety risks involved in driving on damaged roads.
Duncan attributed the pothole problem to the snow accumulation and subsequent melting on the Coquihalla, causing a freeze-thaw cycle that results in the formation of potholes. He explained how the ice damages the asphalt, creating ongoing challenges throughout the winter. To address these issues, Duncan’s crews use a specialized cold-weather asphalt mix, although it is less durable than a permanent summer patch.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit assured that contractors are actively patrolling, identifying, and repairing potholes along the Coquihalla Highway. Drivers are advised to adjust their driving according to the conditions and remain vigilant about changing road conditions, including the presence of potholes.