Motorists heading north on Highway 97 may have noticed big red “closed” signs for Whiskers Point Provincial Park, located about 130 kilometres north of Prince George near McLeod Lake.
According to a letter sent to the District of Mackenzie council, the closure is due to deteriorated bridges inside the park.
Dated July 4, the letter from assistant deputy minister Jim Standen of BC Environment and Parks was attached to the agenda for the council’s July 28 meeting.
“A routine inspection of the bridges in the fall of 2024 identified deterioration and potential risk to park visitors,” Standen wrote. “The engineer’s report rated the bridges as not safe for use immediately after the inspection. The replacement cost for the bridges was significantly higher than the operating budget for the region.”
As the ministry recognizes the effect of the closure on the local economy, Standen noted that replacing the bridges has been placed high on its list of capital projects for 2025.
Initial surveys for the replacements have been completed, with design work underway and dates being set for installation.
“Due to the regulations of the Wildlife Act regarding work in and near a stream, construction schedules have been set up accordingly. Completion of the bridges is estimated to be finished before the end of September 2025.”
A Q&A document on the BC Parks website for Whiskers Point stated that the park’s four log stringer bridges — installed in the 1970s — were deemed to have a zero load rating, making them unsafe for vehicle traffic.
The document said the park is expected to reopen for the 2026 season.
