British Columbia Highway 6


Highway 6 is a two-lane highway passing between the Kootenay and Okanagan regions in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is divided into two parts—the Nelson-Nelway Highway between the Canada–US border and Nelson, and the Vernon-Slocan Highway between South Slocan and Vernon. Highway 6 is a north-south highway between Nelway and the Needles Ferry and an east-west highway between the Needles Ferry and Vernon; it has a total length of. It first opened in 1941, and its very winding path through the western Kootenays has not changed since.

Route description

Nelson-Nelway Highway

Highway 6 begins at the Canada–US border crossing at Nelway, where it connects with Washington State Route 31. It travels north for to the Burnt Flat Junction, where the Crowsnest Highway merges onto it from the east. Highway 3 and Highway 6 share a concurrency north for to the town of Salmo, where Highway 3 diverges west. From Salmo, Highway 6 goes north for, mostly following the Salmo River, to the city of Nelson, where access to the Whitewater Ski Resort is located. Highway 3A merges onto Highway 6 at Nelson, and the two highways travel west for along the Kootenay River, passing through the communities of Taghum and Bonnington Falls, to where Highway 3A diverges southwest just west of South Slocan at Playmour Junction.

Vernon-Slocan Highway

From South Slocan, Highway 6 follows the Slocan River north for passing through Winlaw, Slocan City and Silverton to the community of New Denver, where Highway 31A meets Highway 6. northwest of New Denver, Highway 6 reaches its junction with Highway 23 at the resort community of Nakusp. Highway 6 then turns southwest and proceeds to follow the east bank of the Columbia River for to Fauquier, on the east shore of Lower Arrow Lake, where the Needles Ferry is located.
From Needles, Highway 6 takes a winding path northwest through the Monashee Mountain range, passing through the community of Cherryville on its exit from the mountains, until it reaches the community of Lumby, away. Highway 6 then proceeds west on its final through the district of Coldstream, and terminates at a junction with Highway 97 in Vernon.

History

Some maps show Highway 6 originally continuing west from Vernon to Monte Creek, approximately east of Kamloops. This section became part of Highway 97 in 1953.

Major intersections

From south to north: