HISTORICAL NEWS SEARCH - Government of British Columbia

On November 10, a bridge abutment at Blueberry River on the PGE Fort Nelson Extension, about 53 mi.
(84.8 km) north of Fort St. John collapsed after the foundation for the bridge shifted. *1) The entire bridge foundation
had to be rebuilt before the south end of the structure could be anchored. December 15 was the likely date before
traffic would resume. Though the lost rail link affected the its economy of the entire Fort Nelson area, hardest hit were
those that were using the railway for shipping. All traffic between the two points had to be routed along the Alaska
Highway.
Rail service was interrupted for about three months (The Province, August 10, 1973). It was earlier
estimated the span would be repaired before Christmas but cold weather hampered the construction. Engineers blamed
the collapse on poor footing for the main supporting pillars. They recommended that the new bridge foundations be
located closer to each bank. *2) Early January, it was announced that the rail line would remain closed until January
24.
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*1) Only in September 1972 Premier W.A.C. Bennett had officially opened this rail line between Prince George-Fort
Nelson. At the time, the premier’s official train derailed near Williams Lake en route home from the ceremonies,
injuring four railway employees. (The Vancouver Sun, November 20, 1972).
*2) The new span was 135ft. (40.5 m) longer than the old one.
November 29-30, 1972
Event type: Debris slide and snow avalanche.
Precipitation: Falls River (82.3 mm/1 day), November 28, 1972; Kildala (47.5 mm/1 day), November 29, 1972;
Kitimat 2 (77.7 mm/1 day), November 29, 1972; Prince Rupert (88.6 mm/2 days), November 29-30, 1972; Tasu Sound
(175.3 mm/2 days), November 29-30, 1972.
Source: The Daily News, November 30, December 1, 1972; The Vancouver Sun, November 30, 1972; The Herald,
November 30 and December 6, 1972; J. Mekechuck, pers. comm. 1989. CN Railway, Edmonton, Alta.
On November 30 at 2:30 a.m., a snowslide came down at Mile 45. A mudslide came down at Mile 56. Slides
at Mile 45 and Mile 56 caused by heavy rain closed highway 16 between Prince Rupert-Terrace for 12 hours. The
highway was expected to reopen later on November 30.
CNR reported ballast washouts at three locations and a debris slide at Mile 57.5. The slide was 75 ft. (22.5
m) long and 4 ft. (1.2 m) deep. The rail line was closed for 10 hours. There were minor delays at the “soft spots” near
Kwinitsa.
In the Smithers area, 18 in. (45.7 cm) of snow was reported. Telecommunication links to Prince Rupert,
including telex and all systems using high wires, were cut.
December 28, 1972-January 1, 1973
Event type: Snow avalanche.
Precipitation: Tasu Sound (227.9 mm/4 days), December 28-31, 1972 Prince Rupert (58.7 mm/1 day), December 31,
1972; Falls River (85.1 mm/1 day), December 31, 1973; Kemano (44.5 mm/1 day), December 31, 1973; Kildala (73.2
mm/1 day), December 31, 1973; Sandspit A (29.1 mm/1 day), December 31, 1973; Terrace (43.6 mm/2 days),
December 31, 1972 - January 1, 1973.
Source: J. Mekechuck, pers. comm. 1989. CN Railway, Edmonton, Alta.
On January 1, CNR reported a snowslide at Mile 43.6, measuring a length of 200 ft. (60 m) and a depth of 25
ft. (7.5 m). The rail line was closed for five hours.
January 17-23, 1973
Event type: Flooding and snow avalanches.
Precipitation: Falls River (352.1 mm/6 days), January 17-22, 1973; Prince Rupert M. Circ (280.4 mm/6 days), January
17-22, 1973; Prince Rupert (224.0 mm/7 days), January 17-23, 1973; Tasu Sound (225.0 mm/4 days), January 19-22,
1973; Kildala (210.8 mm/4 days), January 19-22, 1973; Terrace (148.8 mm/4 days), January 20-23, 1973; Kemano
(176.0 mm/3 days), January 21-23, 1973; Kitimat 2 (291.6 mm/3 days), January 21-23, 1973.
Source: The Daily News, January 22, 23 and 24, July 12, 1973; The Province, January 23, 1973; Northern Sentinel,
January 24, 1973; The Herald, January 24, 1973; Jamieson and Geldsetzer 1996 (pp. 169-170); J. Mekechuck, pers.
comm. 1989. CN Railway, Edmonton, Alta.; A. Charneski, pers. comm. July 1991, Line Foreman Alcan, Kitimat.
Around January 23, Terrace experienced flood problems due to high water levels. Between 75-140 houses
were affected, ranging from flooded basements to very serious flood damage. Runoff water was flowing into the
sanitary sewage system, backing up the sewers. A Civil Defense official came to town to assess the damages. One of
the findings was that Terrace would need a proper underground drainage system, rather than the ditch system used at
the time.
Highway 16 between Prince Rupert-Terrace was closed by a slide 43 mi. (68.8 km) west of Terrace. The
slide was 40 ft. (12 m) long and 20 ft. (6 m) deep. Severe flooding occurred 28 mi. (44.8 km) west of Terrace.
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