Crews dismantling a damaged portion of Bottletop Bridge along the Coquihalla Highway, Nov. 30, 2021.
Image Credit: TWITTER/Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
December 02, 2021 - 4:30 PM
With the worst of the atmospheric river storms behind us, contractors and highway workers are hastily trying to reopen major transit routes in B.C.
Highway 1 has now reopened between Hope and Popkum, while route is expected to reopen in the Abbotsford area today, Dec. 2, to get traffic from Vancouver to Hope.
Fuel limits in the Lower Mainland will remain in place however, and Highway 3 is the only route to connect the Lower Mainland with the rest of B.C.
On Dec. 1, highway workers patrolling Highway 99 noticed a small amount of debris on the road and the route between Pemberton and Lillooet was closed proactively, according to Highways and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming.
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It was closed in the interest of public safety, which proved successful because a landslide blocked the road later that night, Fleming said at a press conference today.
That route will be inspected on Friday to determine when it will be safe to reopen Highway 99 again.
Timelines for reopening the Coquihalla Highway, however, have not changed. The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is aiming to have the route reopened with temporary measures by the end of January.
At that time, it's expected to be restricted to essential travel, while there is no estimate yet as to when it will reopen to non-essential and recreational travel.
According to Drive B.C., Highway 3 is congested with sections reduced to alternating traffic, due to a commercial vehicle rollover. The truck blocked the westbound lane around Whipsaw Forest Service Road.
Fleming said commercial drivers, and all others using Highway 3, should use caution at all times using that route, but insists the road itself is safe and has been regularly maintained.
East of Princeton, Highway 3 has been closed due to flooding, but the waters are receding and the road's status will be re-evaluated.
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As flooded communities look toward rebuilding, South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings is calling for federal funding to support communities rebuilding after natural disasters.
“The weather emergencies in B.C. have been devastating for families and communities,” Cannings said in a news release. “And the way the federal government plans to rebuild leaves municipalities with a hefty bill. The town of Princeton could be responsible for paying millions of dollars to rebuild."
He is calling on the federal government to invest in "climate resistant infrastructure," along with taking more action on the ongoing climate crisis.
"These local governments need real help to rebuild and dedicated funds for forward looking plans to strengthen infrastructure for the future," he said.
In Merritt, all residents are not allowed to return home, with day access finally permitted to evacuees from the so-called phase four zone.
Properties in phase four were most affected by flooding from the Coldwater River, and those residents remain under evacuation order, the City has decided they can return to assess damage and retrieve belongings.
As the Coldwater River levels continue to fluctuate, the City will continue to monitor for potential floods, and have not ruled out the possibility of a renewed evacuation order for low lying areas.
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The City said because of infrastructure damage, emergency workers would have difficulty responding to calls in that area, which is one reason why the evacuation order remains in effect.
Residents in the phase four area are not allowed to use water, even if flushing toilets.
Day access began today and will continue from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
In the phase three area, residents may be allowed to return to their homes on Dec. 5. This depends on water quality, and if tested clean, they can return to their homes full time.
Interior Health continues to gradually resume regular operations at the Nicola Valley Hospital. Effective Friday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 a.m., the Nicola Valley Hospital emergency department will resume 24/7 emergency care.
Go here for updates from the City of Merritt.
Check Drive B.C. for highway updates.
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