Dawson Civil is excited to share that we have been awarded the Highway 97 Cottonwood Hill Phase 3 stabilization project, with a successful bid of $37.5 million. This work is part of the Province’s multi-phase response to ongoing slide activity at Cottonwood Hill, north of Quesnel.
To improve long-term safety and resilience along this vital stretch of Highway 97, the Province launched a multi-phase stabilization program at Cottonwood Hill after a 2020 slide caused ground movement in the area.
Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2023 and focused on river erosion protection, resurfacing the existing highway, and installing geotechnical monitoring equipment. Phase 2 of the project was completed this fall and involved the realignment and reconstruction of 1.34 km of Highway 97, as well as unloading the crest of the Cottonwood Slide adjacent to the highway.
Phase 3 will carry the stabilization effort forward by strengthening the hillside through a combination of earthworks and structural reinforcement. Dawson Civil’s scope includes re-grading unstable slopes below Highway 97, installing erosion protection along the Cottonwood River, drilling and installing 252 steel piles to stabilize the slide area and support the highway embankment, and continuing geotechnical monitoring within the active slide zone during construction to ensure the safety of our crews. Construction is anticipated to begin in January 2026, with work progressing throughout the year and into spring 2027.
“It has been a few years since we’ve delivered a project of this size, and our teams are excited to get started,” said Steven McGillis, Senior Project Manager. “This is precisely the type of challenging project our teams excel at, and we’re ready to move Phase 3 forward.”
As preparations begin, Dawson Civil will continue working closely with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit to ensure this phase of the Highway 97 Cottonwood Hill project is delivered safely and responsibly. We will also be collaborating with organizations in the City of Quesnel to create opportunities for local workers and businesses throughout the project.
We look forward to sharing updates as work progresses and to supporting the continued stabilization of the Highway 97 Cottonwood Hill area.