By Canadian Press

Key B.C. highway reopens to truck traffic after severe flood damage

Dec 20, 2021 | 10:21 AM

VANCOUVER — A major highway linking Metro Vancouver and southern British Columbia to the rest of the province has reopened about a month after severe flooding damaged the route in several areas.

The B.C. government says in a release the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt reopened just after 8:30 a.m. on Monday to commercial traffic and intercity buses.

Crews have replaced about 20 stretches of the highway including bridges damaged during a storm in mid-November.

Torrential rains and melting snow between Nov. 13 and 15 caused flooding and debris slides through the Fraser Valley and southern Interior.

Checkpoints are in place along the Coquihalla to ensure only essential trucks and buses are using the highway.

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

6h ago

POSTAL STRIKE

Donations to Medicine Hat non-profits drop over Canada Post strike

6h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

14h ago

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says restrictions on Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton will be lifted on Tuesday at 8 a.m., allowing non-essential travel to resume on the route between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20, 2021.

The Canadian Press