Prince George BC - Watson Lake Yukon

Alot of construction around Prince George on 17 is all I can say. I was on that route from Quesnel to Prince George and made a turn back toward Edmonton.

 

About 3 weeks ago.

Just noticed I should have said 97. Been a long day. Went back on 16.

 

Most of the construction is the area close to Prince George.

They are in the process of building the access to a scale that has been built and not in service yet for both directions on 97. Did not appear there is going to be a way around it, just for reference.

 

About 5 miles south or so.

There were scales I encountered on 16 after about 60 miles of BC from Alberta. It was closed.

The scale in Quesnel, just on the north side of town was open and is on the east side.

 

Must be pretty smoky about now, no matter which route?

 

Hwy #37 is mostly closed with piloted escorts during the day when possible due to forest fires on both sides of the highway. The smoke is dense and covers many miles.

Under normal circumstances there are only the two options to get to Watson Lake and that is the Alaska highway and #37. Thirty seven is a little shorter milage but that is where any advantage ends for that highway. I have traveled both ways thousands of times and do not choose 37 ever unless I have some reason that can not be avoided for being there.
Comparing the two routes I do not save time or fuel using thirty seven. Thirty seven has a fifty mile an hour speed limit, the road is narrow with no shoulders and some miles are still gravel. From Kitwanga to the Yukon border seems to be one hard steady pull especially for those of us pulling many wheels. Services of any kind are sparse and pretty much non existent for trucks. While traveling 37 you will have several very close calls with knuckleheads that are driving at warp one speed and on your side of the already narrow road, they seem unable to correct back to their side and expect you to get out of the way. Fly by nighters use this road to sneak overweight, unpermitted and oversize loads down the road with trucks that would be condemned in any inspection. The last one hundred miles to the Yukon border will shake the dash out of your truck and maybe brake your dentures. The two KW dealers west of P.G. are now closed so service for your truck may not be available should you need it, other than that have a wonderful trip on #37
IMHO

 

PG was very smokey today. If you're driving a KW and need servicing go to Inland Kenworth. Good technicians and there's always field guys on duty.