The latest section of Hwy 1 reopened through the Fraser Valley today (Nov. 25) with the section between Chilliwack and Abbotsford now passable.
The reopening follows cleanup, repairs and geotechnical assessments of the highway and its structures, according to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“This reopening will help connect the Lower Mainland through to Hwy 3 and the Interior,” the Ministry said in a statement. Currently, Hwy 3 and Hwy 99 north of Pemberton are the two functioning links between the Interior and the south coast.
While this latest section of Hwy 1 to open will help to reduce congestion on Hwy 7, travel restrictions will remain in place on Hwy 7 to ensure the safe movement of essential goods and services, the B.C. Transportation said.
Although it is not included under the essential travel order, people are asked to stay off Hwy 1 through Abbotsford unless necessary. The province decided not to limit access to essential vehicles only because there is adequate lanes open to accommodate traffic flows.
“We know people in this region need to travel around,” said Rob Fleming, the minister of transportation and infrastructure at a news conference Wednesday. “This will provide significant relief.”
The areas still mandated as ‘essential travel’ only include a stretch of Hwy 1 between Popkum Road and Hope, and on Hwys 3, 7 and 99.
Commercial vehicles over 63,500 kg are prohibited from travelling on Highway 1 between Abbotsford and Chilliwack at this time.
Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon was closed by flooding and debris slides on Sunday, Nov. 14.
Highway 1 – Clearing near Lytton Work continues to clear the path to Tank Hill on Highway 1, north of Lytton.
Repairs to Hwy 1 at the Sumas River Bridge were completed on Nov. 24, after the westbound approach failed during the heavy rain events. Additional repairs along the highway corridor will be ongoing throughout the coming weeks.
The section of Highway 1 through Bridal Falls between Hwy 9 and Hope was reopened on the evening of Nov. 20. This section of highway remains one lane in each direction for essential travel only, with cleanup and repairs ongoing.
Into the Fraser Canyon, Hwy 1 between Hope and Boothroyd, just east of Boston Bar, has been open since Nov. 21. Hwy 1 remains closed from Boothroyd through to Spences Bridge and damage assessments are ongoing, according to the Ministry.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has special weather statements in effect for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, Squamish to Whistler and the Sunshine Coast from now into next week. Flood conditions may arise in the areas over the period of these storms. The River Forecast Centre has issued high streamflow advisories for all regions of the Coast.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is monitoring the weather and the performance of the highway. “People should be aware that Highway 1 and others could be closed at any time, should conditions deteriorate,” it said.
Meanwhile, the province has launched a new emergency support phone line to help those who have been affected by the floods and landslides.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the contact centre will help connect people with disaster financial aid, mental health support and emergency response support, among other resources.
“The province will be here and will continue to provide the emergency supports that people need,” he said. “These are complicated and dynamic times.”
The line will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and people can contact the centre toll-free by calling 1-833-376-2452.
