Coquihalla could reopen in early-January

B.C.’s Minister of Transportation is predicting the reopening of the Coquihalla for essential and commercial travel could be moved up.

Rob Fleming said crews working around the clock, coupled with some favourable weather lately, has moved the expected reopening date for the Coquihalla from late-January to early-January.

“This is remarkable given the state of damage on the Coquihalla, and it’s a testament to the skills and dedication of everybody who was a part of this tremendous effort,” said Fleming.

Once reopened, traffic on Highway 5 will be limited to essential purposes such as commercial vehicles.

He added that Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon remains on track to reopen for essential purposes in mid-January.

Fleming told a provincial update on Thursday, that until the Coquihalla can be reopened for essential travel, Highway 3 needs to be restricted so that goods can continue to move between the Lower Mainland and the Interior.

“With upwards of about 3,000 trucks a day on that highway, with it’s steep grade and tight curves, it would be dangerous to mix leisure passenger traffic in with convoys of trucks,” said Fleming.

Fleming said a winter storm is set to hit the southern part of the province this weekend. That storm will bring with it snow at higher elevations, including along Highway 3’s Allison Pass, and he cautions people to slow down and drive to conditions.

Meanwhile Highway 99, which also has its own set of challenges created by steep grades, tight corners and narrow stretches between Pemberton and Lillooet, is being restricted so that large commercial vehicles cannot use that route. Instead it is being reserved for essential vehicles no larger than a cube-truck.

Fleming added that, with the holiday season coming up, people are wanting to travel and visit family. He said he is working with other members of government and commercial airlines to create more air travel options between the Interior and the Lower Mainland so that B.C.’s highways aren’t impacted by an increase in traffic.

The province will also be updating the essential travel order for Highway 3 to include inter-city bus services connecting the Interior with the Lower Mainland.

After the Coquihalla is reopened and essential commercial traffic is restored on that route, the province will look to reopen Highway 3 for all travellers once again.