Transportation links continue to suffer from nature

The railroad between Prince Rupert and Terrace continues to suffer at the hands of the Skeena with a number of breaches of the railbed, tracks and over to the highway. Some stretches of the highway are covered by water for two kilometres or more and the water is moving so fast that rapids and whirlpools are forming in some locations of the river.

The Cranberry connector, the only link eastward between Terrace and Kitwanga has has a number of traffic controls instituted to try and gain some control on the travel on the logging road that now doubles as a provincial conduit for North western BC.

And Terrace continues to expand it's evacuation lists as the Skeena continues to cross over its banks and swallow up more and more territory of the outlying and waterfront areas of the city.

The Terrace Standard had reports on all of those and more this evening.

Flooding Skeena River swamps tracks, highway
The Terrace Standard
9:44:36PM, Jun 07 2007

WATER FROM the Skeena is pouring through and over CN tracks west of Terrace and covering Hwy 16 in the process.

There have been multiple breaches of the CN track bed along the way, allowing the Skeena to flow freely.

In some cases, the highway is covered by water for up to two kilometres and is pouring over with such force that rapids have formed.

Officials say it is impossible to determine when the highway can be re-opened and that it all depends on when the Skeena will recede.

Traffic controlled on the Cranberry
The Terrace Standard
8:59:29PM, Jun 07 2007

THE TRANSPORTATION ministry has brought in single lane alternating traffic controls on the only road in and out of Terrace.

Having traffic flow one way and then the other way on the Cranberry Connector is the best way to move people and goods in a safe and efficient manner, say ministry officials.

It means scheduled 30 minute openings in alternating directions every 2 hours. Westbound openings scheduled for 4 pm, 8 pm, 12 am, 4 am, 8 am and 12 pm. Eastbound openings scheduled for 6 pm, 10 pm, 2 am, 6 am, 10 am, and 2 pm.

The decision to shift to a controlled access followed an incident earlier today in which a small truck went off the road and blocked traffic for hours.

The Cranberry Connector is a 50km long logging road which has become the only road connecting the northwest with the rest of the province since rising Skeena River waters cut off Hwy16 50km east of Terrace June 5.

It was first pressed into service May 28 when a massive mudslide shut down Hwy16 37km east of Terrace. The highway was then open to traffic for limited periods each day, meaning reliance on the Cranberry grew.

The Cranberry Connector connects the paved Nisga'a Highway in the Nass Valley with Hwy37 North.

In the meantime, The province is supporting local governments in communities north of Terrace and is providing access to tug and barge to help transport critical supplies to Prince Rupert.

That's because Hwy16 is also cut between Terrace and Prince Rupert and there is no alternate land route connecting the coastal city with the rest of the province.


Evacuation alert distributed
The Terrace Standard
8:15:14PM, Jun 07 2007

RCMP OFFICERS and volunteers went out to the south side of Terrace tonight to deliver evacuation alerts.

They told people living in more than 100 homes to be ready to leave immediately in case the rising Skeena River flooded even more of the south side.


Lift station flooded
The Terrace Standard
6:39:17PM, Jun 07 2007

EMERGENCY OFFICIALS are telling residents of one Terrace southside area not to use their toilets.

That's because the sewage lift station that serves their area has been flooded out.

The section is in the area of Skeena St. and Haugland, affecting more than 20 homes.
The order was made in late afternoon.

The area generally has been affected by the rising waters of the Skeena River.