Highway 97 closures highlight supply chain challenges

“Highway 97 is north-south, so it goes from Richmond and Vancouver to Prince George by truck,” Chang said. “Unfortunately, all too frequently in recent years that highway is closed for one reason or another.”

The current disruption is linked to the Pear Lake wildfire, but Chang says closures have become increasingly common due to a variety of natural events.

“We are very, very susceptible to any kind of atmospheric rivers, forest fires, floods, washouts,” he said.

Highway 97 is one of only two major north-south transportation routes in British Columbia. It serves as a critical supply corridor for northern communities, carrying everything from fresh produce and grocery items to household goods and commercial freight.

Any interruption can quickly create challenges for businesses, particularly independent retailers that may not have the storage capacity or purchasing power of larger chains.

According to University of Northern British Columbia economist Charles Scott, transportation disruptions are no longer isolated incidents but increasingly part of a changing reality that communities and businesses must learn to navigate.

“With this kind of disruption, the life we’re used to becomes less and less possible,” Scott said. “We need to factor in things that weren’t a factor 25 years ago because human activity is contributing to the changes that are occurring.”

His comments highlight a growing concern among economists, planners, and business owners that climate-related events are placing increasing pressure on transportation infrastructure across the province.

For businesses like Marquee, that pressure translates directly into operational challenges. Delayed shipments can leave shelves understocked, increase costs, and complicate ordering schedules.

Chang recalls one of the most difficult periods his business faced when extreme weather washed out multiple highways across British Columbia. The damage severed key transportation links and forced trucking companies to take significantly longer routes to reach northern communities.

“The atmospheric weather washed out all the highways,” Chang said. “We didn’t get any stock for three weeks because the trucking company had to go down through the States and Alberta to deliver to Prince George and the surrounding area. That was difficult.”

The experience underscored the vulnerability of northern supply chains and demonstrated how quickly disruptions in southern parts of the province can ripple northward. While alternate routes may exist, they are often considerably longer, more expensive, and subject to their own delays.

Despite the challenges, Chang says years of experience have taught him the importance of preparation.

Having spent three decades in retail, he has developed strategies to help his business weather unexpected interruptions. One of the most important is building inventory ahead of the winter months, when severe weather can quickly complicate transportation.

“We stock up just before winter because anything can happen during wintertime,” he said. “Usually by October we’re fully topped up inside the store and using all available space. Then hopefully there’s no snag during the winter.”

That approach requires careful planning and additional investment, but Chang believes it is necessary given the unpredictability of transportation conditions in northern British Columbia.

Preparation, however, can only go so far when roads are closed for extended periods. Businesses remain reliant on functioning transportation networks, and prolonged disruptions can affect product availability regardless of how well retailers plan ahead.

Customers, for their part, have generally been understanding of the circumstances.

Chang says northern residents are accustomed to dealing with transportation challenges and often recognize that supply shortages are beyond the control of local businesses.

“They’re very understanding,” he said. “The northern people know. They know that things never go according to plan. They’re very understanding.”

That patience has become an important asset for retailers facing circumstances they cannot control. While customers may occasionally encounter limited supplies or delayed arrivals, many understand the logistical realities of living in a region dependent on long-distance transportation corridors.

Still, the recurring nature of these disruptions raises broader questions about infrastructure resilience and the future of supply chains in northern British Columbia. As climate-related events continue to affect key transportation routes, businesses and communities may need to adapt to a future in which closures and delays become increasingly common.

For now, retailers like Chang are once again keeping a close watch on road reports, hoping the current disruption will be resolved quickly and with minimal impact.

After years of floods, fires, washouts, and winter storms, northern businesses have learned to prepare for the unexpected. But as another closure affects the province’s most important transportation corridor, many are hoping that understanding customers and careful planning will be enough to get them through yet another supply chain challenge.

by Cheryl Jahn

Highway 97 closures highlight supply chain challenges

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