People who travel the Coquihala and Hwy 8 regularly would have a better idea of what it’s actually like.  But on Global noon news today they said Hwy 8 repairs are complete and travel is possible.  Coquihala repairs are mostly complete, and contracts for permanent structures will be let soon.  I reckoned Hwy 8 would for sure take much longer. 

What I heard was that Hwy 8 was open to public traffic but that they had to watch out for construction.  I'm guessing the road is through but that they are still doing things...maybe rip rap, or pavement, etc.

Ya, looks like it’s open but probably still lots of delays.

My understanding from a hyw contractor was today it was open to the public, prior to local residents of the area only. And yes, still delays and single lane in places.

Still impressive though.

Yes, right up there with the Alaska Highway!

Before and After 4 minute video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpEKkacN--c

Really looking forward to riding there next year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZI7D0WoT-I

Very tough rebuild, pretty much the whole thing is founded on alluvial deposits, which are just gravel pits waiting to be rearranged by the next big flood.  Free draining, at least.   

I lived on hyw 8 for almost 20 years. Love that road. Twisty, scenic and low traffic volume.

You sound like a geotech!!

We usually travel Hwy 8 once or twice during the summer.  It's a nice twisty highway with interesting scenery if you like geology.  Yesterday, while listening to CBC I had a laugh when they said it was open to the public but not suitable for motorcycles!

So good to see this road being repaired, we are hoping to relocate to the Merritt area in the near future and this road closure would have been unpleasant to say the least. I’m currently in Smithers and we have two directions for travel, wife retires next spring so we can start looking seriously.
Bob

Smithers is definitely dirt bike country.  I lived there from 2005 to 2010.  Worked at Huckleberry.  Loved to travel all the forest access roads, but I did them in my truck.

I drove Hy8 Saturday. One section of the road has been relocated to the opposite side of the river. Not sure if this is a permanent fixture? Passable on a bike but the coin car wash would be your next destination.

 

  Relocating to Merritt. Study your location well, that area and town will take years to be fixed. And good luck getting flood insurance riverside.

We looked at Merritt as a potential retirement spot but rejected it because they had a 2 dog only bylaw.  We have three dogs.  Other than that....it had pretty much everything we were looking for.  Lots of road loops for day trips.  Good shopping and easy access to major centers.

Heard  on the news that Highway 8 repairs are considered temporary......still an impressive achievement, to re-establish a road along that area.

  Like i said, study the lay of the land, geography, topography, and residency. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/merritt-bc-shootings-nov-15-2022-1.6652185

Overland water damage coverage has been unavailable in large swaths of Merritt since the beginning of time.

Merritt.....a suburb of Surrey..

   No, Merrit is a sess pool in comparison.   More fun up there today.  https://bc.ctvnews.ca/rcmp-respond-to-2nd-shooting-in-merritt-b-c-in-4-days-strongly-believe-it-s-connected-to-1st-1.6159014

  Sounds like Salmon Arm is not too rosy these days either. https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/b-c-best-places-to-retire-thread.1043620/page-64 , with this threads entry today.