B.C. to lift fuel restrictions, state of emergency extended
Posted December 13, 2021 11:48 am.
Last Updated December 13, 2021 4:05 pm.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has announced that the province will be lifting a restriction Tuesday on the amount of fuel British Columbians can purchase.
The order has been in effect since Nov. 19, when a state of emergency was declared after catastrophic flooding closed major highways, and forced hundreds to flee their homes. It limited non-essential drivers to 30 litres of gas per visit.
“This measure has been effective in maintaining a steady supply of gas for public use while ensuring our essential service vehicles have priority access to what they need to do to make sure everything’s looked after,” Farnworth said, adding his thanks to everyone who abided by the rule.
The 30 liter gas restriction has been in place since Nov 19. Initially it was a couple weeks then extended. It officially ends tomorrow.
Story from when it started. https://t.co/LWSI0p6Lm1#bcpoli @CityNewsVAN— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) December 13, 2021
The provincial state of emergency, however, has been extended another two weeks. This includes restrictions on non-essential travel on Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton, and Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet.
Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said crews have been working “relentlessly” to repair the damage done to highways during “the worst storms in our province’s history.”
Work is ongoing to try to repair Highway 5, which remains closed between Hope and Merritt. Fleming said he’s hopeful that route will reopen even earlier than his last estimate of early January.
“From the utter destruction a few short weeks ago — crews have literally defied the odds. They’re going around the clock regardless of the weather. They’re getting the Coquihalla closer and closer to being able to be usable again. Day by day, we’re getting closer and closer to being able to advise the public on when the Coquihalla might be usable again for commercial trucks.”
A full update, including a revised timeline, will be provided Wednesday — including when Highway 3 will reopen to non-essential travel.
Highway 3 remains the primary link between the Lower Mainland and the rest of the province, and Fleming said it’s crucial to continue to limit travel to maintain the flow of goods. Ensuring safety on that route is paramount, Fleming said, amid an influx of thousands of commercial vehicles each day. Signage has been installed and RCMP patrols have been stepped up. So far in December, 116 speeding tickets have been issued.
“Let me just say, we have zero tolerance for unsafe driving on Highway 3.”
RELATED: B.C. trucking industry, province work to reduce growing number of crashes on Highway 3
With a snowfall warning in effect between Hope and Princeton, Mike Halskov from B.C. Highway Patrol warns the combination of an increase in commercial truck traffic and extreme weather could lead to dangerous situations.
“It’s a highway that we are monitoring closely. We’re watching for aggressive drivers, speeding, and driver fatigue. We encourage all drivers, especially the commercial truck drivers that are traveling these routes to please have some respect for those highways.”
To prevent collisions, Halskov mentions there are a number of safety precuations drivers can take to keep highways safe.
“There is usually electronic signage that tells truckers where to pull over at a break check or a chain up area to put their chains on when required. This prevents the situation we had over the weekend with a number of commercial trucks spinning out as the road conditions worsened. By having chains on it may have prevented some of the trucks from spinning out which would have kept the highway open.”
Winter tires on non-commercial vehicles are also now required on Highway 3. Halskov warns drivers who fail to comply with tire restrictions could face a fine upward of $121 and will be turned around.
With files from Michael Williams
