Work on the Coquihalla Highway continues with a temporary bridge being used where the highway was recently washed out.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

Highway 3 has reopened for single-lane traffic as the only commercial traffic route was blocked by another landslide earlier today.

The highway, where there was another slide east of E.C. Manning Park on Monday, Nov. 22, is a vital link to connect trade routes between the Lower Mainland and the rest of B.C.

B.C. continues to be hampered with recovery efforts after last week's flooding, but a second 'atmospheric river' will bring more precipitation this week.

Direct rainfall is not anticipated to affect Interior communities, but an estimated 30 centimetres of snow between Hope and Merritt may affect the Coldwater River overnight on Nov. 22.

READ MORE: Some Merritt residents allowed to return home

However, barring any major impacts to infrastructure, some evacuees from Merritt are expected to return home on Tuesday.

In three phases, based on address, residents will return home on Nov. 23, but they will remain on evacuation alert and a boil water advisory.

The storm system this week is expected to start along the northern coast of B.C., with 100 to 150 millimetres of rain in the Prince Rupert area, then travel south toward the Lower Mainland.

As the province rushes to repair critical infrastructure connecting the Lower Mainland with the rest of B.C., rail traffic is on track to restart this week.

READ MORE: 2nd atmospheric river expected to produce more runoff in flooded southern Interior towns

Canadian Pacific Railway announced today that trains will return to the Fraser Valley on Tuesday.

Hundreds of CP employees and contractors gathered to move 150,000 cubic yards of material and rebuild damaged tracks to reconnect Kamloops to Vancouver since floods and mudslides on Nov. 15 wiped out the critical trade route.

READ MORE: Kamloops Search and Rescue helped save people in flooded Merritt

Vehicle traffic on highways that experienced mudslides and flooding is restricted, if open at all, in B.C.

While Highways 3 and 99 are open, only essential travel is allowed. Highway 3 is also the only route open for semi-trucks, as Highway 99 will not support the weight of those vehicles.

The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is continuing to rebuild other critical passes, including the use of a temporary bridge on the Coquihalla Highway.

READ MORE: Feds waiving normal EI rules for British Columbians left jobless by extreme flooding

— With files from The Canadian Press.

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