By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) said today it will know in another day or two when Highway 3 can be reopened after the recent atmospheric river weather system wreaked havoc on highways in the southwest of the province. Hwy. 3 remains closed from Hope to East Gate (Manning Park).
Speaking at an update this afternoon on the flooding situation in the Fraser Valley and damage to vital highways in southern BC, Janelle Staite, Executive Director South Coast Region, Transportation and Transit said crews have been working to repair damage at 21 sites.
Janelle Staite, Executive Director South Coast Region, Transportation and Transit.
“In terms of resources, we have about five or six different crews in different locations across Highway 3 between Hope and Manning Park. Right now we’ve identified 21 discrete sites.”
She said two of the sites have been cleaned up with the expectation that four more can be completed by about mid-week.
“Five sites in particular have very large cross cuts across the major highway, so we’re actually having to dig out a culvert that’s failed and do some replacement work, so a fairly significant amount of work.”
Staite said the overall assessment is still in progress in terms of timeline, “but we expect that in the next day or so to have a sense of when we expect to have that highway reopened.”
Highway Closure Update:
Highway 1 – Highway 11 to No. 3 Road – REOPENED for traffic in both directions, all lanes
- Speed reduction enforced to 70 KMH.
- Ramps and exits now open as well
Highway 1 – Highway 9 to Hope – OPEN to two way traffic. Expect speed reductions.
- East bound left lane has reopened between Highway 9 and Hope. The right lane remains closed.
- West bound right lane open, left lane closed.
