Update to this story: https://www.exnews.net/post/bc-highways-set-to-open-monday-minister-fleming
Update to this story: https://www.exnews.net/post/coquihalla-set-to-reopen-monday-december-20th
CURRENT ROAD ADVISORIES AND INFORMATION:
The Ministry of Transportation stresses "Safety is always our number one priority".
The Ministry is working towards opening the Coquihalla to commercial traffic with the goal of reducing truck traffic on both Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton and Highway 99 between Pemberton and Cache Creek.
Neither of those roads were built to handle the volume of heavy truck traffic they are currently seeing.
For example, according to the ministry, over 3000 trucks are using Highway 3 every day.
Mixing those heavy trucks with passenger vehicles through winding mountain passes in winter is a recipe for tragedy.
Highway 99 is even less advanced, with steep grades narrow stretches combined with tight corners. Highway 99 is open for essential travel but only for vehicles under 14,500kg GVW.
SPECIAL NOTE – According to the Ministry of Transportation there are options for bus transportation from the Lower Mainland to Kelowna and Kamloops through companies like Ebus, Rider Express and Mountain Man Mike Bus Service.
From Drive BC:
Highway 1 – Abbotsford to Hope
OPEN - The eastbound lanes of Highway 1 are open in the Bridal Falls area, fully reopening the highway with two lanes in each direction between Abbotsford and Hope.
Highway 1 – Fraser Canyon, Hope to Spences Bridge
OPEN - Hope to Boothroyd for local travel from Hope as far as Boothroyd (through Yale, Spuzzum and Boston Bar), with some Single Lane Alternating. Expect delays. Could close at any time
CLOSED - Boothroyd to Lytton
CLOSED - Lytton to Spences Bridge
Highway 3 – Hope to Princeton OPEN for essential travel only
- Areas of Single Lane Alternating Traffic.
Drivers should be aware that this portion of Highway 3 has several steep grades, sharp curves and speed limit reductions.
Highway 5 – Coquihalla CLOSED – Hope to Merritt
Highway 7
OPEN from Glasgow Ave at Murray Street in Mission to 1 km east of Hope. Essential Travel restrictions have been lifted (Highway 7 has been removed from the Ministerial Order).
Highway 8
CLOSED from Merritt to Spences Bridge
Highway 11 OPEN – Hazelwood Avenue and Clayburn Road for 2.9 km.
- Now OPEN to commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, municipal service vehicles and emergency service vehicles only.
- One lane in each direction, expect delays.
- People are asked to limit their travel on Highway 11 if unnecessary to support the safe movement of goods and services.
Highway 99 – Pemberton to Lillooet OPEN – for essential travel only
- Only vehicles up to 14,500kg licensed GVW will be permitted.