Major B.C. highways between Lower Mainland and Interior closed, Port Mann Bridge reopens
CTV
Major highway routes between B.C.'s Lower Mainland and the Interior were closed Friday morning because of extreme winter weather conditions and vehicle incidents.
Major highway routes between B.C.'s Lower Mainland and the Interior were closed Friday morning because of extreme winter weather conditions and vehicle incidents.
After dealing with closures Thursday, the Coquihalla Highway was blocked again Friday in both directions between Hope and Merritt because of a vehicle incident. Drivers wanting to use Highway 5 were warned to expect major delays.
The highway is a popular trucking route, and was partially destroyed during a series of storms in mid-November. It reopened last month, but a 101.8-kilometre stretch is only open to commercial traffic, emergency vehicles and vehicles such as inter-city buses until more of the damage can be repaired.
Travellers couldn't take Highway 3 between Metro Vancouver and the Interior either Friday morning. That route was closed between Hope and Princeton because of a high avalanche hazard, especially between Second Avalanche Gate and Allisson Pass Summit, DriveBC said. An estimated reopening time wasn't provided.
Meanwhile, a major traffic artery in the Lower Mainland reopened early Friday morning, just in time for the morning commute, while some lanes on another bridge were closed.
The Port Mann Bridge was shut down late Thursday night due to concerns about ice bombs, but reopened early Friday morning.
Its reopening is a huge relief for commuters who would have otherwise faced major delays, but new weather and travel advisories could still cause some big issues.