Quintette Tunnels

(photo courtesy Public Archives of Canada)

The Quintette Tunnels are situated between Hope and the Coquihalla Pass. There are actually only four tunnels but they were named the quintettes because one tunnel had one side blown open which made it look like two tunnels when looking from certain angles. The tunnels were constructed as part of the Kettle Valley rail line.

These tunnels are another of the engineering marvels that made up the KVR system. The Coquihalla Canyon is a narrow gorge with sheer granite cliffs 95 meters high. During his surveying expeditions to determine the railway alignment, Andrew McCulloch went down the side of the cliffs in a basket to survey and assess the route. He determined that not only could they build through the canyon but that they could drill four tunnels, one of which would be opened (daylighted) on one side, thus giving the impression of five (a quintette) tunnels, all constructed in a straight line.

While the engineering and construction was a marvel, the weather in the region was outside of anyone's control and throughout the time the KVR was being built and operated there were regular washouts, rockslides and avalanches which blocked the route, often for extended periods of time.

The KVR was in service until a major washout occurred in 1959; it was ultimately abandoned in 1961. The Canadian Pacific Railway(CPR) determined that other rail routes were safer and provided sufficient access to the region. The BC highway systems were also being developed and goods could be transported by truck with less risk. The tunnels exist today, but are now referred to as the Othello tunnels. They became part of Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park's trail system in 1986.