Highway 3 reopens to non-essential traffic ahead of the holidays

Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton reopened to non-essential travel Tuesday morning, once again connecting the Lower Mainland to the Interior and Alberta.

The southern route has speed limits in place and motorists are required to have winter tires and are urged to drive to conditions.

RELATED: B.C. trucking industry, province work to reduce growing number of crashes on Highway 3

Reporter, Ashley Burr took a trip along Highway 3 to better understand the conditions.

Despite some light snow on the ground between Abbotsford and Chilliwack traffic seemed steady.

Step 2 #Abbotsford –
Traffic is going at a steady pace, light snow is on the ground, driving conditions are good so far. @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/Lv9gRGWRE1

— Ashley Burr (@AshleyBurr_) December 21, 2021

According to Burr, there are police along the turnoff for Highway 3 which is to presumable ensure only essential traffic continue onto the Coquihalla.

Step 5 #Highway3 turnoff –
Police are at the turnoff for HWY 3, presumably insuring only essential traffic continue on the Coquihalla. @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/rcAouC5Eun

— Ashley Burr (@AshleyBurr_) December 21, 2021

Once nearing Princeton, past Manning Park, Burr says conditions change with a lot more snow yet, no ice.

Despite the seemingly effortless journey, Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General is urging British Columbians to be wary of worsening road conditions with the cold weather warning approaching.

“We need to be ready to be prepared for extreme freezing temperatures and risks to our still vulnerable highways especially highways three, five, and 99,” says Farnworth.

On Monday, and shortly after the Coquihalla reopened to commercial vehicles, Drive BC said Highway 99 from Pemberton to Lillooet reopened to non-essential travel but is restricted to vehicles under 14,500kg GVW.

For the latest on road conditions in B.C., visit the traffic page. 

– With files from Ashley Burr