Repairs Being Considered For Key Sections Of The Kettle Valley Rail Trail Near Princeton

The future of a damaged section of the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail is becoming clearer as the province works with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS), the town of Princeton and the Trans Canada Trail organization to evaluate potential repairs.

 

The discussions focus on a 67-kilometre stretch of trail between Princeton and the Coquihalla Highway that suffered extensive damage during the devastating floods of November 2021.

 

While long-term plans continue to be assessed, decommissioning work is set to begin in summer 2026 on one of the most severely damaged portions of the trail.

Three Priority Repair Projects Under Consideration

The RDOS submitted a request to the province identifying four high-priority areas for repair. After reviewing engineering assessments, estimated costs and potential eligibility for federal funding, the province has agreed to consider repairs on three of those segments:

• The bridge west of Princeton
• Access to Parr Tunnel
• Access to Whitesands Beach

 

Final approval will depend on federal support for BC’s revised business case and confirmation that the RDOS can cover long-term maintenance costs. The regional district is currently reviewing maintenance plans and budgets for the proposed repair sites, with a board decision expected by the end of 2026.

 

Decommissioning Work Begins This Summer

While funding and maintenance discussions continue, work will move ahead on decommissioning a heavily damaged 17-kilometre segment extending from the western end of the KVR Trail near Coquihalla Lakes to the Brookmere area.

 

A tender for the project will be posted on BC Bid on June 19, 2026. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026 and could take up to a year to complete.

 

According to the province, damaged trestles, unstable slopes and unmitigated landslide areas present ongoing risks to both public safety and nearby fish-bearing streams. Concerns include potential sedimentation and continued slope instability.

 

The railbed itself will remain in place, preserving the possibility of future reactivation should local governments or community groups wish to restore undamaged sections.

 

Decommissioning efforts will focus on:

• Removing engineered infrastructure and access points
• Recontouring trail sections directly damaged by flooding
• Recontouring areas that continue to face landslide risk

 

Repairing this particular section would cost an estimated $5.1 million, and it is not one of the priority areas currently being considered for restoration.

Flood Damage Changed The Landscape

The atmospheric river events of November 2021 dramatically altered the corridor between Princeton and the Coquihalla Highway.

 

Heavy rainfall and flooding damaged numerous trestles, retaining walls and major culverts along the recreational rail trail. Entire sections of trail were washed away, and in some locations the river permanently changed course, now flowing where the trail once existed.

 

Publicly available engineering assessments concluded that the entire 67-kilometre section was severely compromised. Restoring and maintaining the corridor would cost an estimated $60 million, compared with approximately $20 million for safe decommissioning.

 

Most decommissioning costs are being covered through federal funding provided by the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program.

 

Looking Ahead

Although this section of the KVR Trail historically saw lower use than many other rail-trail corridors in British Columbia, it remains part of the Trans Canada Trail — the world’s longest multi-use trail network.

 

An alternate route currently allows trail users to bypass the damaged area and continue exploring other portions of the historic rail trail.

 

The province says it remains open to discussing future rerouting proposals from the Trans Canada Trail organization to help maintain continuity along the route.