Current status of B.C.’s major highways and roadways as routes remain closed

The B.C. government continues to provide an update about major highways and roadways impacted by the atmospheric rivers that struck the south coast and parts of the Interior.

More than 20 reception centres have been set up around the province and Farnworth said everyone who was stuck due to the initial storm has now been rescued.

The province announced new measures last Friday to restrict non-essential travel to and from impacted areas.

Here is a breakdown of the current status of highways in B.C.’s flood-affected areas

Highway 99, Highway 3 and Highway 7 have been restored as routes to the interior, limited to essential travel for now. This means non-essential travel will not be allowed on these routes.

However, Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet was closed again on Dec. 1 due to a mudslide, with no timeline to reopen.

Highway 3 east of Princeton between Taylor Way and Old Hedley Rd was also closed Thursday due to flooding.

2:19 B.C. floods: Another round of heavy rain puts Abbotsford into action

To keep supply chains moving, the province has made Highway 7 from Murray Street in Mission to Highway 1 in Hope an essential travel route.

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Essential travel includes public transit, charter buses, and school buses on this route.

Highway 1 between Abbotsford and Chilliwack was closed Sunday, Nov. 28, due to flooding in the area. It was expected to reopen at some point on Thursday, Dec. 2.

Highway 1 between Popkum and Hope reopened to traffic on Thursday, Dec. 2, after being closed for multiple days due to heavy rainfall and risk of debris flows.

Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon, from Hope to Boston Bar has now reopened.

2:00 B.C.’s Coquihalla Highway seen from the air shows extent of the damage

The Coquihalla Highway, Highway 5 remains closed from Hope to Merritt.

About 20 sites along the highway, which is the main highway connecting the Lower Mainland and the Interior, were damaged or washed away during the storm.

This is about 130 kilometres that have been affected. Five bridges have either collapsed or heavily damaged.

There are currently three sites along the highway where crews are blasting rocks and the government is mobilizing equipment to another two sites.

The highway between Spences Bridge and Boston Bar remains closed. Temporary repairs are underway and it is expected to be weeks before that area can open.

Highway 8 from Merritt to Spences Bridge is closed and still undergoing an assessment. The ministry said there is extensive damage and no timeline to reopen.

All major routes on Vancouver Island are now open.

CP Rail has resumed traffic from the Interior to the Lower Mainland.

However, CN Rail is still not operating, MP Brad Vis said. “The issues in the Fraser Canyon especially, are incredibly challenging,” he added.

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