A 30-kilometre stretch of Highway 97 that connects Prince George to Chetwynd and Northeast B.C. is expected to be open to limited traffic by Wednesday.
The stretch of highway between Chetwynd and the Mackenzie junction, north of Prince George, was hammered by severe rains last weekend that created numerous washouts.
"We have made some great progress," Ministry of Transportation regional director Mike Lorimer said Thursday.
Lorimer noted there are 50 pieces of heavy equipment working on 15 sites on the stretch of highway. Even where there is no truck access, they have leap-frogged heavy equipment in, which can more easily traverse the washouts.
No bridges have been washed out, but several approaches to bridges have been washed out, which need to be built back up, explained Lorimer.
He added that two very large washouts are being spanned with temporary bridges.
Once the traffic starts flowing, it will be limited to single-lane traffic at scheduled times led by a pilot car.
The public is asked to check www.drivebc.ca for schedules.
The major floods that caused washouts in the Peace region were considered a one in 40-year rainfall event.
Approximately 130 millimetres of rain that fell during a four-day period resulted in damage at 58 sites on more than 40 roads throughout the Peace Region, including the Dawson Creek Dangerous Goods Route, Braden Road, Moberly Park Road, Highway 29 and Highway 97.
Both the rainfall and flood warnings have ended for the region. Drier weather is forecast through the week, and rivers are expected to continue to drop.
Heavy industrial facilities in the Peace region were also impacted.
Walter Energy has temporarily idled its Willow Creek mine because wash outs cut off access to the mine in Northeastern B.C.
Senior staff have been flown to the site to monitor conditions, and are planning for the re-opening of the mine, said Bob Bays, vice-president of Walter Energy's Canadian operations.
The company says its Chetwynd office is open (250-788-2176) if employees have any questions.
Walter Energy expects operations to be suspended for at least the next few days, but asks employees to stay in touch with their supervisor and remain available so the company may contact them when the mine restarts, said Bays.
"Until this situation is resolved, we ask employees for their patience," added Bays.
