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
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.