Drivers will soon be able to use Highway 3 near Hope thanks to temporary repairs being done on a heavily damaged section.
According to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTI), Highway 3 is expected to reopen on an “interim alignment” between Boxing Day (Dec. 26) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1).
“Contractors are working around the clock to restore the highway and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit is sourcing material and supplies as quickly as possible,” MOTI said in a press release. “If conditions continue to be favourable, the ministry could potentially open the highway earlier.”
Temporary repairs are currently being done on a section of the highway located 42 kilometres east of the Highway 3/5 junction. According to the ministry, heavy rain on Dec. 16 damaged the road and the water “undermined and washed away a 50-metre section of the highway.” The area has since been cleared by ministry contractors, and the road will be routed around the damaged area for traffic while these repairs take place.
Long-term repairs, however, will require more time, significant design, and reconstruction. Until the long-term repairs are completed, the “detour alignment” or temporary reroute will remain in place.
MOTI said that the detour will have a speed limit of 30 km/h and access may initially be restricted due to site conditions.
Work at other sites affected by recent flooding and slides is expected to be completed by the end of Monday (Dec. 22). However Highway 3 will not fully reopen until the detour is finished.
Access is available from Hope for residents needing to get to Sunshine Valley, and Manning Park Resort can be accessed from Highway 3 via Princeton.
Those travelling between the Lower Mainland and the Southern Interior will need to use Highway 1 and Highway 5. Drivers should expect heavier traffic on these highways until Highway 3 is completed.
For highway updates visit DriveBc.ca.