UPDATE: The Coquihalla Highway reopened Saturday.
The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) was once again closed in both directions between Hope and Merritt on Friday night into Saturday morning.
DriveBC announced the closure at 9 p.m. It later said the highway could open in both directions at 1 a.m., but southbound lanes didn’t open until 4 a.m., northbound remains closed until 10 a.m., according to Drivebc.ca.
Likely dozens, if not hundreds, of motorists were stuck on the highway overnight again. It originally closed Thursday afternoon due to snow and freezing rain.
Ministry staff reportedly handed out water and food to those waiting overnight, as crews attempted to move traffic.
Some drivers reported being stuck on the route for 12 hours.
Multiple reports from drivers at the scene said trucks were having difficulty making their way up hills and causing backlogs.
Many feared a replay of Thursday night’s chaos when hundreds were stranded and forced to sleep in their cars due to the road closure. Some people report on social media that they’ve been in traffic for at least six hours.
DriveBC says the closure was made due to spun out trucks and severe traffic congestion.
Highway 1 between Boston Bar and Yale was also closed overnight due to a high avalanche hazard. It is reportedly set to open by 10 a.m. as well.
WATCH: Locals in the Okanagan seem to be split on the state of highway maintenance during this storm. Some say road clearing is clearly not what it used to be, others feel it just “is what it is.”
– with files from Doris Maria Bregolisse
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