‘There is reason for hope’: province updates flooding and road repairs in B.C.

Two B.C government ministers are reporting progress in the recovery from one of the province’s worst ever natural disasters one week ago.

Public safety minister Mike Farnworth told a flooding update on Monday while there are still challenges, “there is reason for hope.”

“The Sumas dike breach [in Abbotsford] has been patched, the Barrowtown pump station [also in Abbotsford] is once again moving water into the Fraser River, and vital connections between the Lower Mainland and the rest of the province are starting to reopen,” Farnworth said.

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said there are now two routes connecting the Lower Mainland with the Interior and North open for essential travel using Highways 3 and 7 for heavy commercial traffic, and Highways 97 and 99.

Fleming said both routes are “operating well.”

“It is reassuring that the important goods that we all rely on are moving, and this is very good news,” Fleming stated.

The minister said they will be adding signage to Highway 3 and 99, asking drivers to slow down and drive with caution due to work crews in the area and congested areas still under repair.

Fleming said CP Rail is cautiously optimistic it can restart operations Tuesday evening barring any unseen events.

“They are making tremendous progress on repairing track that will connect us right through to the Alberta border and the rest of Canada,” Fleming remarked.

He reported Highway 1 reopened Saturday evening east of Chilliwack from Bridal Falls to Hope and some progress is being made on the section of road in the Sumas Prairie area near Abbotsford with water receding. He said that road will reopen today for restricted use.

Fleming said temporary repairs on the Coquihalla Highway are getting underway, with no timelines for permanent repairs other than “many, many months.”

All routes are opened on Vancouver Island now.

“Everyday brings us a little bit closer to a return to normal, but were in the midst of a tremendous challenge,” the minister commented.

Fleming said British Columbians followed the travel restrictions “very well,” keeping the roads links to essential travel only.

“To my knowledge, no fines were issued by the RCMP on Highway 3.”

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham told the news conference, the agriculture community is “absolutely exhausted” one week into the recovery.

“They’re tired, they’re working 24 hours a day, and there’s a lot of pressure on them right, but I can tell you, the messages of support from British Columbians are making a big difference. They know that you’ve got their backs, so keep those messages coming in,” Popham said.

Thousands of animals have died as a result of the severe flooding.