B.C. highways: Road closures, travel advisories in place as province faces latest storm
As B.C. endures its third atmospheric river in under a week, travel advisories are in place and roads remain closed in parts of the province.
More than two dozen weather warnings are in place across B.C., with some parts of the province expected to see as much as 150 millimetres of rain. On Wednesday, Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth warned residents they should still avoid non-essential travel if they can.
"We need to avoid unnecessary travel and wait out this storm," he said.
In anticipation of worsening conditions, Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet was closed Tuesday afternoon. The highway reopened at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, but to essential travel only. Vehicle eight restrictions are also in place.
On Wednesday morning, a section of Highway 7 closed in both directions due to a landslide near Maria Slough Bridge east of Agassiz. Shortly after 7:30 a.m., the road reopened to single-lane alternating traffic and drivers were told to expect delays. Later in the morning the highway fully reopened.
As well, Highway 1 remains closed between Abbotsford and Chilliwack and between Popkum and Hope.
Even though Highway 3 remains open, it's only for essential travel and when other roads reopen they may be subject to travel orders as well.
"These highways are not in a normal state," Fleming said. "Please, slow down, be patient, accept that it will take longer to get to where you need to go."
In addition to the closures, a travel advisory is in place for Highway 20 between Bella Coola and Williams Lake in response to heavy rainfall in the forecast for the central coast. Those who decide to travel during these intense storms have been advised to be prepared with food, water, warm clothes, a blanket and an emergency kit.
As of Wednesday afternoon, these were the highway conditions in southern B.C., specifically related to recent floods and landslides. Not all road closures are reflected in this list and DriveBC's traffic page may have the most up-to-date information.
Highway 1
- Closed between Exit 90 and Exit 109 (Abbotsford to Chilliwack) due to flooding.
- Closed between Exit 138 and Exit 165 (Hope to east of Chilliwack) due to heavy rainfall and risk of debris flow.
- Open with travel advisory between Exit 170 and Kahmoose Road (south of Jackass Mountain Summit to Hope).
- Closed between Junction Highway 12 and Junction Highway 8 (Lytton to Spences Bridge) due to rock slide.
- Closed between Kahmoose Road and Main Street (Lytton to south of Jackass Mountain Summit) due to flooding and mudslide.
Highway 11
- Closed between Hazelwood Avenue and Townshipline Road (Abbotsford) due to flooding.
Highway 3
- Open for essential travel only between Hope and Princeton. Checkpoint in place.
Highway 5
- Closed between Hope and Merritt due to washouts.
Highway 7
- Open for essential travel only between Glasgow Avenue and Ross Road (Mission to Hope). Checkpoint in place.
Highway 8
- Closed between Highway 8 and Petit Creek Road (west of Merritt to Spences Bridge) due to washout.
Highway 99
- Open for essential travel only between Lil'wat Place and Seton Lake Road (north of Pemberton to Lillooet). Checkpoint in place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.