Coquihalla reopens to commercial traffic, Highway 3 to non-essential travel

The B.C. government has announced the Coquihalla Highway, which was damaged by flooding and washouts at over 20 sites during the Nov. 14, 2021 flooding events in B.C., has reopened to commercial traffic starting the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 21.

The change also means that Highway 3, the other main route from the Lower Mainland to the Interior, will have traffic restrictions lifted, meaning non-essential traffic can now use the route again. Since the flood, Highway 3 had been restricted to essential traffic, mainly commercial vehicles.

Travel restrictions have also been lifted on Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet; however, the route remains under weight restriction of under 14,500 GVW, limiting commercial traffic.

A bridge on the Coquihalla Highway at Juliet is one of many badly damaged during the Nov. 14, 2021 storm. Photo: B.C. Ministry of Transportation image

The reopening of the Coquihalla to commercial traffic comes ahead of schedule. Originally, the transportation ministry estimated a limited reopening to the Coquihalla to commercial traffic would come in late January 2022.

“The people who build and maintain roads in B.C. have a reputation second to none, and their response to the recent disaster has been remarkable,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Ministry teams, maintenance contractors and hundreds of workers going flat out in challenging conditions have allowed us to reopen the Coquihalla Highway today, giving B.C.’s commercial drivers a safe, efficient route between the coast and Interior.”

The transportation ministry warned travellers to expect delays on the routes and to be prepared and check highway information before travelling. It also reminded drivers to be prepared for winter conditions combined with possible delays.

The ministry said over 300 workers using 200 pieces of heavy equipment repaired the damage in about 35 days.

The repairs to the Coquihalla Highway are temporary and included reduced speed limits and traffic pattern changes. The transportation ministry says it is making plans for permanent repairs to the Coquihalla.