Friday, January 9, 2026
The Government of British Columbia announced that safety and reliability on Cariboo roads will continue to improve with the advancement of two projects focused on restoring routes damaged by washouts and landslides in 2020 and 2021.
A $37.5-million contract has been awarded to Dawson Civil Ltd. for stabilization work on Highway 97 at Cottonwood Hill, 18 kilometres north of Quesnel. This is a north-south link vital to B.C.’s economy. This contract is for Phase 3 of the project and will focus on improving slope stability, including the installation of piles. Work is expected to begin in early 2026.
For the Highway 97 Cottonwood Hill project, the first two phases have been completed. The work included building structures called groynes in the Cottonwood River to help control water flow, moving the highway to a new route and removing weight from the slope to make it more stable.
In addition, a $3.8-million contract has been awarded to Peterson Contracting Ltd. to rebuild a section of Bastin Road/Nyland Lake Road at Bastin Hill, approximately 24 kilometres southeast of Quesnel. This project will restore the road to a two-lane route, improving long-term safety and reliability for road users.
Through the Cariboo Road Recovery Program, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit is restoring access to flood and slide-damaged areas (where feasible), benefiting tens of thousands of people who use these affected roads and highways. The program is designing and building transportation infrastructure that is resilient and dependable for communities and road users.
Construction is complete or underway on eight projects, with next steps announced for two additional projects. These projects are strengthening regional network reliability and helping keep Cariboo communities connected.
Featured image: (BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit)
