iN PHOTOS: Hope’s historic Othello Tunnels opening this month after three years of repair work

Part of the popular Othello Tunnels in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park are set to open in the coming week after much anticipation by tourists and locals, just in time to sneak in one last family summer adventure. 

Located 19 kilometres east of Hope, the park and historic tunnels were devastated by heavy rain in November 2021. Bridge foundations were affected along with the slopes above and inside the tunnels, and access roads were eroded.

Parts of the park have been under construction for almost three years, overseen by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

“We know people are excited to return to Coquihalla Canyon Park, the damage to this park was extensive and repair work continues,” said David Karn with the Ministry of Environment in an emailed statement on Aug. 14. 

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The Othello Tunnels were built in the early 1900s as part of a Canadian Pacific Railway route connecting the Kootenays to the coast, according to BC Parks. 

“In the Coquihalla Gorge, the river cut a 300 ft deep channel of solid granite. A straight line of tunnels was built through it which are known now as the Othello Tunnels,” the site reads.

The historic site offers spectacular viewing opportunities on the trails, in the tunnels and on the bridges.

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Earlier this year, the province announced the partial reopening of the tunnels was scheduled for early July but that date was delayed a month because of unforeseen damage to rock anchors that needed to be reinstalled before finishing the rock fall protection.

A portion of the park including the first two Othello Tunnels is scheduled to reopen the week of August 19, with the rest of the park set to open next year.

Go here to learn more about the tunnels and for updates on the park's opening date. 

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