Decommissioning damaged section of Kettle Valley Rail Trail near Princeton

PRINCETON -

Summary

• A section of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, which has been closed since 2021 due to extensive damage caused by heavy rain and flooding, will be decommissioned starting in spring 2026
• Repairing the damage and maintaining existing infrastructure along the 67-kilometre section between Princeton and the Coquihalla Highway would cost approximately $60 million
• An alternative route is available for people to bypass this section and experience other segments of this rail trail

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A damaged section of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, which has been closed since 2021, will soon be decommissioned to ensure public safety.

In November 2021, heavy rain and flooding compromised numerous trestles, retaining walls and major culverts along the 67-kilometre section of recreational rail trail between Princeton and the Coquihalla Highway. Entire sections of the trail bed were washed away, and in some places, the course of the river was changed so it now flows where the trail once was.

Often crossing remote and rugged terrain, repairing and maintaining the aging infrastructure along the Province's network of rail trails is complex and costly. Repairing the extensive damage and maintaining existing infrastructure along the Princeton section would cost an estimated $60 million.

Decommissioning the Princeton section of rail trail will begin in spring 2026 and is expected to take two to three years.

Alternative route available to bypass damaged section

While this section of rail trail had relatively low use compared to other segments of rail trails, it remains part of the Trans-Canada Trail, which is the world's longest multi-use trail system.

• An alternative route is available for people to bypass the damaged section and continue experiencing other segments of the rail trail.
• Similar to many other parts of the Trans-Canada Trail, the alternative route uses a local road to bypass the damaged section.
• The Trans-Canada Trail organization continues to explore options to permanently relocate the section of decommissioned trail.

Maintaining and improving rail trails

The Province's network of rail trails provides a unique opportunity for people to enjoy outdoor recreation in southern B.C., while showcasing historic features, such as large bridges, tunnels and retaining walls dating back more than a century.

Since 2017, the Province has invested approximately $27 million into maintaining and improving rail trails in BC Parks and segments managed by Recreation Sites and Trails BC.

Some of the projects include:

• Replacing the old decking of all 18 trestles in Myra-Bellevue Park. The $2.1-million project also involved expanding the parking lot and adding accessible toilets to the day-use area at the trailhead.
• Upgrading the trailheads along the Slocan Valley rail trail. The $1.6-million project included paving approximately 4 km of the trail, new parking lots, a tunnel under the highway and additional amenities.
• Resurfacing 15 km of non-motorized designated rail trail between Grand Forks and Christina Lake costing $500,000.
• Major repairs totalling $12.3 million for various trestles, rock-cut tunnels, major culverts and other engineered infrastructure to ensure public safety and environmental protection.

The cost of decommissioning the damaged Princeton section is estimated at $20 million, with most of the cost covered by federal funding through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program.

Quick Facts:

• Recreation Sites and Trails BC manages approximately 475 km of recreation rail trails.
• These trails include 47 bridges, 56 major culverts, 561 minor culverts, 55 retaining walls, seven rock cut tunnels and other infrastructure.
• Rail trails managed by Recreation Sites and Trails BC include the Slocan Valley Rail Trail between Slocan City and South Slocan, portions of the Columbia and Western Rail Trail between Christina Lake and Midway, and portions of the Kettle Valley Railway between Midway and Brodie Siding near the Coquihalla Highway.