The Coquihalla Highway will remain closed overnight between Hope and Merritt after being hit by the largest avalanche in the road’s 27-year history.
The Coquihalla corridor has seen almost three metres of snow over the last 10 days and the risk of further slides remains high, B.C. Transportation Minister Todd Stone said Friday.
“This huge volume of snow is sitting on a weak layer, making it very unstable. The result has been slides on paths that have never before reached the highway,” Stone said in a statement.
The ministry said it will open the highway once avalanche control can be completed to ensure public safety.
Stone said crews are planning one of the biggest control missions ever conducted on the highway, involving up to three helicopters.
Motorists are also advised the number of potential detours is down, due to a fatal crash on Highway 1 between a tanker truck and three other vehicles. The highway is expected to reopen around midnight.
Stone said drivers can still use Highway 3 or 8 until the Coquihalla opens, though anyone planning to travel in the area is advised to check the Drive BC website for the latest updates on all routes.
