B.C. fully reopens Highway 1 between Abbotsford and Hope
The stretch of Highway 1 between Abbotsford and Hope has been fully reopened after crews finished clearing debris and repairing storm damage along the normally busy route.
The B.C. government announced the eastbound lanes were reopened Tuesday evening in the Bridal Falls area, allowing two lanes of traffic to flow in both directions once again.
"Counterflow traffic management is no longer needed through this section of the corridor," the Ministry of Transportation said in a news release, adding that drivers can "expect slow traffic with reduced speed limits."
Parts of Highway 1 have been closed and reopened multiple times since the historic storm that struck the province's South Coast on Nov. 14. It was reopened from Abbotsford to Chilliwack last Thursday, while the section between Bridal Falls and Hope remained limited to one lane in each direction.
While there are no restrictions banning non-essential vehicles, the ministry asked the public to avoid using Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley for unnecessary travel "to support the safe and efficient movement of goods and services."
The area of Highway 1 from Boothroyd to Spences Bridge remains closed, as does the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt.
Highway 3 is only open for essential travel from Hope to Princeton, and officials have been unable to say whether it could reopen by Christmas, leaving limited options for many British Columbians hoping to visit loved ones in the coming weeks.
Transportation Minister Rob Fleming has said the province is working with airlines to try and have more flights scheduled between the Vancouver, Victoria and Abbotsford airports into the Interior to accommodate holiday travellers.
Fleming said traffic on Highway 3 must remain restricted for now, calling the route "crucial" to maintaining the province's supply chains as repair work continues on several roads.
On Monday, the province lifted travel restrictions on Highway 7 through the Fraser Valley, marking the first time in weeks that commuters were allowed back on the route from Mission to Hope.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.