The Halfway-Peace

The road to Hudson’s Hope, aka Highway 29, has seen a multitude of changes in the last three years. We have five new bridges and numerous kilometers of new pavement. The bridge this column is about is the bridge over the Halfway River. This area is known as the Halfway/Peace as this is where the Halfway River empties into the Peace River. The area is used for boat launching, fishing, hiking, rock collecting, picture taking, picnics and swimming.

The bridge that used to cross the Halfway was officially opened by pioneers Mr. and Mrs. Phil Tompkins on Friday, Sept. 24, 1976. Prior to that opening, the bridge on the Fort St. John side was an old Bailey bridge, which was attached to what was left of the first bridge across the Halfway River. In the times before that, there weren’t any official bridges crossing the Halfway; you either rafted or built your own bridge if you wanted to go to Hudson’s Hope or Fort St. John in the summer months. In the winter, you would cross the frozen river.

The bridge on the Fort St. John side collapsed following an accident on Feb. 1, 1965. The Department of Highways went to work immediately with a cat to clear approaches for an ice bridge, which only light traffic could cross. The first span of the bridge fell after a truck, a Kenworth cabover traveling empty, hit the right-hand support of the Fort St. John end of the bridge. The driver, Ray McDonald, was in the hospital with a broken ankle. A Department of Highways dump truck, also empty, was about 40 feet from the end of the bridge traveling towards Fort St. John. It appears that Ray saw the dump truck as he turned the corner and applied his brakes and then slid on the ice against the bridge. The first span carrying the dump truck immediately fell onto the river ice. The driver, Alan Richards, was unhurt although the truck was badly damaged. He climbed out and went up to Tompkins Ranch to give the alarm. The cab of the big truck also fell to the river, leaving the trailer portion hanging over the edge of the bridge. The ice was unbroken by the impact.

The Department of Highways got to

Larry Evans

work at once, and they were at the site within an hour. The ice bridge opened the following Tuesday night. Immediate arrangements were made to put in a replacement bridge. On Tuesday, two trucks left Prince George and two more left Vancouver bringing 290-foot spans for a Bailey bridge. This is the same type of bridge that was used at the head of the Peace River Canyon, connecting the two sections of the dam worksite.

“The biggest task,” said Pat Tondevold, District Superintendent of Highways, “was to put a pier in the middle of the river to support the new bridge.”

He expected that would take a week or 10 days to get the bridge in use. The existing piers at either end were undamaged and would be used for the Bailey bridge, which would be for single traffic only. For some time, all heavy traffic was detoured around by Chetwynd. This made traveling from Fort St. John to the construction site of the WAC Bennett dam an especially long journey.

There are many stories connected to the Halfway River bridge. The most famous of all was when Penn Powell was attempting to cross the old bridge and was confronted by a very large beaver. The beaver appeared to have staked a to claim on the bridge and wasn’t about to let anyone cross it. It was apparent that Penn would have to wait out the situation or kill the beaver.

This area of the Peace River is rich in history as the Northwest Mounted Police trail to the Klondike left the Peace River and proceeded up the Halfway River. It was the location of Cadenhead Landing, an important stopping place for the riverboats traveling up and down the Peace. It was also an important waterway used for transportation during the fur trading days.

Larry Evans is a former fire chief, city councillor, and lifelong historian living and writing in Fort St. John

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Elliette Pauline Baker

Parents: StevenandKristenBlake

Weight: 8lbs3oz Length: 19inches

Time: 12:57am

Date: April5,2023

Hometown: CharlieLake,BC

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BIRTH Ph:250.261.7563

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Eight non-profits funded by latest GO Fund round

In its first intake of the year, BC Hydro provided $70,000 to eight Peace Region non-profits through the Site C project’s Generate Opportunities (GO) Fund.

Programs focus on food security, health, education, Indigenous people, seniors, and vulnerable populations. Recipients include:

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- Hope for Health Society: $10,000 to hold a three-day community wellness conference for 250 participants.

- Project Thunderbird Society: $10,000 for the Guitar Build Camp, which teaches Indigenous youth how to build their own guitars.

- Chetwynd Meals on Wheels Society: $10,000 to provide an increasing number of seniors with nutritious, home-delivered meals.

- March of Dimes Canada: $10,000 for After Stroke BC, a program offering personalized stroke recovery which connects stroke survivors with oneon-one case management expertise.

- Friends of Hudson’s Hope Food Bank Upgrade: $9,535 to upgrade a space to house a food bank, improving its efficiency and ensuring quick, seamless support for vulnerable populations.

- Chetwynd Community Arts Council: $9,000 for three group sessions of Synergy Ceramics, which gives people the opportunity to create their own pot and paint them in an Indigenous style.

- House of Hope Community Church: $8,947 for new equipment and toys for an after-school program.

- Hudson’s Hope Fall Fair: $2,449 to enable low-income families to attend the dinner and dance at the Hudson’s Hope Fall Fair.

To date, 83 projects have received $728,651 from the GO Fund, which was established in 2016 to support Peace Region non-profits throughout construction of Site C.

The GO Fund is administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust. Applications for funding are accepted on an ongoing basis and funds are distributed quarterly.

ARIES – MAR 21/APR 20

You don’t want to have mundane tasks hanging over your head, Aries. Try to check as many of them off your to-do list this week as you can. This will free up a lot of free time.

TAURUS – APR 21/MAY 21

Taurus, you may be planning a much-needed vacation at the present time. Figure out a place you’ve never been and then fill your itinerary with plenty of fun things.

GEMINI – MAY 22/JUN 21

You likely will have to devote a lot of attention to practical matters in the days to come, Gemini. This includes taking a hard look at your spending and making cuts.

CANCER – JUN 22/JUL 22

Cancer, the coming week will be a busy time for social opportunities. Other people will want to be around you as you can be the life of the party when you come out of your shell.

LEO – JUL 23/AUG 23

Don’t be surprised if your energy level is high this week, Leo. This leads to you feeling restless at home and even at work. This could be a fine time to take up a hobby.

VIRGO – AUG 24/SEPT 22

Virgo, you may be looking forward to an evening out with a romantic partner or close friends. Try to narrow down a day this week or next. Have a few restaurants at the ready.

LIBRA – SEPT 23/OCT 23

Take advantage of some free time to get things done around the house, Libra. Cleaning or other home improvements should be a priority.

SCORPIO – OCT 24/NOV 22

There’s a lot of activity expected close to home, Scorpio. A new business may open or there could be a movie star who is spotted in town. Maybe you’ll get new neighbors.

SAGITTARIUS – NOV 23/DEC 21

The thought of financial prosperity has you scouring the recruitment sites this week, Sagittarius. Speak to others about the pros and cons of leaving your current job.

CAPRICORN – DEC 22/JAN 20

Capricorn, you are surrounded by positive energy and eager to be out and about with friends this week. Start exploring all of the possibilities around you.

AQUARIUS – JAN 21/FEB 18

This may be a good week to devote a large chunk of time to being alone Some time with just your thoughts and a little silence could be everything you need.

PISCES – FEB 19/MAR 20

Pisces, discussions at work could get a bit heated. It’s best to distance yourself from these situations as best as you can.

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