Editor: The Standard
Phase one of the Coquihalla Highway opened between Hope and Merritt on May 16, 1986 with great fanfare. It marked the culmination of several years of fevered construction and was the Province of British Columbia's companion project to the communication and transportation-themed EXPO '86, which had opened on May 2, 1986.
The many construction workers that flooded the community of Hope during the lead up to this date created a flurry of economic activity that we may likely never see again and the new route, once opened, forever changed travel patterns in and around our region.
The Hope Museum is interested in gathering up stories and memorabilia from the construction period, as well as the grand opening day, so that we may commemorate the 25th anniversary of this historic event next month when the Museum re-opens on the Victoria Day weekend for the summer season.
Anyone that has a story to share or memorabilia to donate should contact myself at the Hope Museum at 604-869-2021.
Inge Wilson
Hope Visitor Centre & Museum Complex