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Reopening of Coquihalla Highway could take ‘weeks or months’ due to flood damage

Click to play video: 'B.C.’s Coquihalla Highway seen from the air shows extent of the damage'
B.C.’s Coquihalla Highway seen from the air shows extent of the damage
Flying over B.C.'s Coquihalla Highway Tuesday morning, the damage from the deluge of rain is very evident and shocking. The road has been completely snapped in two and a timeline for when it may reopen remains unclear at this time – Nov 16, 2021

Several major highways remained closed Tuesday morning, after a storm moved through southern B.C. Sunday and Monday causing traffic confusion across the province.

Click to play video: 'B.C. floods: Deputy premier discusses provincial disaster plan as mudslides shut down major highways'
B.C. floods: Deputy premier discusses provincial disaster plan as mudslides shut down major highways

Many of the routes in and out of the Lower Mainland remain cut off.

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The Coquihalla Highway, one of B.C.’s main highways connecting the Lower Mainland and the Interior, suffered catastrophic damage.

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The southbound lanes between Larson Hill and Juliet have been washed into the river, provincial officials said.

Click to play video: 'B.C. floods: Evacuation order issued for Merritt as city floods and wastewater plant fails'
B.C. floods: Evacuation order issued for Merritt as city floods and wastewater plant fails

“In some cases, it can be hours, or a day or two to remove debris,” Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said Tuesday morning about reopening highways.

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“But in some cases, like the Coquihalla, it could be several weeks or months. We won’t know that until the experts do the work that needs to be done and they’re doing it right now.”

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