West Fraser Road Flood Recovery

In April 2018, high water levels from the spring freshet caused Narcosli Creek to erode five sections of the West Fraser Road, on the west side of the Fraser River, approximately 17 km south of Quesnel.

The damage was severe and the road had to be closed with damage spread over a three kilometer section as follows:          

• At the north end of the 3 km section, 250 meters of road embankment washed out
• Near the north end of the 3 km section, 100 meters of road embankment washed out
• North of the Narcosli Bridge, a 100 meter section of road is washed out
• At the Narcosli Bridge, the north site road embankment and rip-rap was washed out and eliminated the road and bridge connection.
• At the switchback at Deep Creek Hill, the road embankment washed out for a length of 100 meters and another section of road embankment has slid and/or collapsed.

About 200 vehicles per day normally use West Fraser Road, which accesses First Nation communities, ranches, logging activities, farming lands and local residences. A detour route is in place via Garner Road and Webster Lake Road, which is a two-lane gravel road that adds 17 km in distance and approximately 20 minutes in travel time for a one-way trip.

Geotechnical, hydrological, environmental and archaeological assessments are being initiated as the ministry investigates options to re-establish regular service. The ministry will be seeking feedback from users of West Fraser Road once conceptual designs and cost estimates have been developed this fall.