Several major highways out of Hope remain closed due to flooding and mudslides.
The Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt, the eastbound lane of Highway 1 between Chilliwack and Hope and Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton all remain closed.
Highway 1 eastbound in the Bridal Falls area is closed due to a mudslide. Engineers have assessed the area from the air and determined that water is still flowing from the mountains meaning it is not yet safe to begin clearing debris. The westbound lane is open.
Engineers were able to do a partial aerial assessment of Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton, but were forced to turn back due to unsafe weather conditions. They found no significant damage in the areas assessed.
The Coquhilla remains closed, and an aerial assessment has been completed, finding two areas that need to be cleared before reopening. No serious damage was found.
Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon is fully reopened. Crews are still working in the area to clear debris, but traffic impacts are expected to be minimal.
Geotechnical engineers are actively working to clear a rockfall on Highway 7 between Aggasiz and Hope and have restored that route to a single lane.
Highway 1 in the Sumas Prairie is open in both directions, with crews on the scene and ready to act should conditions change. Highway 11 at the Sumas border crossing is closed.
Elsewhere in the province, Highway 99 between Mount Currie and Lillooet has also reopened.
Janelle Staite from the Ministry of Transportation, delivered the update alongside provincial officials on Thursday morning (Dec. 11).
She said the damage is not “near the state of damage” experienced during a similar atmospheric river event in November 2021.
An update with reopening timelines will be provided later in the day.