By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Repairs to Highway 3 continue following recent flooding and washouts, with “several weeks” of work required on the worst section of damage for just a temporary alignment, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) said on Friday morning.
The ministry had earlier said it had identified some 22 sites with varying degrees of damage, but it is still undertaking geotechnical assessments.
Today it was revealed that the heaviest damage occurred on a section of highway, 42 km east of the Hwy. 3 and Hwy. 5 junction.
The main site of damage on Hwy. 3.
MOTT photo
Damage at this site occurred during heavy rain on Dec. 16 in which water undermined and washed away a 50 metre section of the highway. “People, equipment and materials are mobilized to the site, with temporary work underway to restore single-lane access, the MOTT said.
“Several weeks of work are necessary to be able to restore access to Highway 3 at this location on a temporary alignment,” it said, adding that a more precise timeline will be available in the coming days as further technical assessments and engineering work are completed.
It noted that work at all other sites affected by flooding and slides is nearing completion, with partial access restored.
Sunshine Valley is accessible from Hope, while Manning Park Resort can be accessed from Hwy. 3 via Princeton. Checkpoints are in place at Hope and Princeton to advise travellers that there is no through traffic.
The MOTT advised that anyone travelling for the holidays between the Lower Mainland and Southern Interior must use an alternative route, such as Hwy. 5A or Hwy. 97C to Merritt and then the Coquihalla Hwy.5 to Hope or Hwy. 8 from Merritt to Lytton and Hwy. 1 to Hope.
The province has issued a travel advisory for parts of Hwy. 5 between Hope and Merritt due to heavy snowfall and high winds.
Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning in the area, warning it could see between 20 and 30 cm of snow on Friday and between 10 to 15 cm on Saturday.
Drive B.C. warns drivers to expect major delays and advises travellers to consider an alternate route through Hwy 1.
Drivers are also reminded that conditions can change quickly and provincial highways can be closed at any time as conditions warrant. Check for up-to-date road conditions at DriveBC.ca .
Be prepared for delays and closures by packing warm clothes, snacks and water, and by ensuring your vehicle’s fuel tank or EV battery is full.
