Between 1979 and 1990, a new route was built from Hope through the Coquihalla Pass to the southern interior. Much of the route followed the old Kettle Valley Railway line. The Coquihalla Highway was built in three stages. The first phase joined Hope with Merritt. The second phase went from Merritt to Kamloops. The final stage, known now as the Connector, went from Merritt to Peachland. The builders of this highway had to deal with tons of snow and move tons of rock. They crossed 67 avalanche paths. They moved sections of the Boston Bar Creek 15 times and the Coquihalla River three times without disturbing the trout spawning grounds. In 1984, there was a push to complete the highway for the opening of Expo ‘86 in Vancouver. At this time, 7,000 workers were employed seven days a week to build the route. The difficulties of building the four-lane highway are not evident now. All that motorists see today are gradually sloping hills, gentle curves, and spectacular scenery.