Highway 1 in B.C.'s Fraser Valley reopens earlier than initially expected
A major highway through Abbotsford, B.C., that has been severely impacted by flooding reopened Thursday afternoon.
Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming announced the reopening during an afternoon briefing on the latest flood conditions and recovery efforts across the province. The highway reopened at 2 p.m., which was hours earlier than originally estimated by the transportation ministry.
"We've had geotechnical engineers confirm that the road is safe for travel," Fleming said. "This will provide a lot of welcome congestion relief and mobility for the region."
Fleming said even though this is good news, it won't be "travel as normal."
"Rather it will be slow-going with reduced speed limits," he said, adding that it will not be subject to a travel order.
"But we are asking people to consider whether their travel is absolutely necessary."
As well, commercial vehicles over 64,500 kilograms are prohibited from travelling on the road.
Wind and rainfall warnings blanket most of B.C.'s southern coast and come after about a dozen so-called atmospheric rivers have saturated land in the province since September.
Photos posted by the transportation ministry around 2 p.m. showed deep water still surrounding the highway at some points.
Fleming said teams are watching the forecast closely.
"We hope and expect that Highway 1 will be able to remain open, but we will be constantly monitoring its performance and if necessary we may have to close the highway again because safety is always our first priority," he said.
Some major highway routes in and out of B.C.'s Lower Mainland remain closed while others have opened to essential travel only. But reopening Highway 1 may help to reduce congestion on other routes, like Highway 7, Fleming said.
Even so, travel restrictions will remain in place on Highway 7 for now.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza, prompting Israel to say it would send a delegation to negotiate – though it warned the proposal remained far from the 'necessary requirements.'
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion’s biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.
Competition Bureau launches inquiry into Lululemon over 'greenwashing' allegations
Canada's Competition Bureau has launched an inquiry into Vancouver-based Lululemon following a complaint from members of an environmental group.
Officer convicted of on-duty rape no longer with Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary says an officer convicted in 2021 of raping a woman while on duty is no longer with the force.