UPDATE 7 p.m.: DriveBC reports the Coquihalla Highway is now open. Heavy snow and poor visibility are being reported and travel is not recommended unless necessary. If you must travel that route, watch for narrowed lane widths and slow moving trucks over the Coquihalla Summit.
UPDATE 5 p.m.: DriveBC reports the highway won’t open until 7 p.m. at the earliest.
UPDATE 1 p.m.: The Coquihalla will remain closed this afternoon, according to DriveBC. The highway is estimated to reopen between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The next update is scheduled for 3 p.m.
The Coquihalla Highway is currently closed due to an avalanche at the Summit according to DriveBC.
The website says that the estimated time of re-opening is between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The highway is closed between Hope and Merritt, due to the high avalanche hazard.
The avalanche was not very big, but it did reach the shoulder of the Coquihalla and a portion of the southbound slow lane. No one was injured, but after the avalanche came down, a motorist tried to drive through the deposit and got stuck. Crews had to help dig them out.
There was avalanche control originally scheduled to take place along this stretch of road on Tuesday night, but that has now been rescheduled.
Motorists are advised to check Drivebc.ca for updates and road conditions.
Another update will be posted to DriveBC as of 12 p.m. Wednesday.
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