B.C. snow makes a mess of major out-of-town highways
Posted November 4, 2022 3:37 pm.
Snowfall has created a mess of some out-of-town highways in B.C., with several major passes forced to close due to crashes.
The Ministry of Transportation says on Thursday night, the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt, and Merritt and Kamloops, Highway 3 (via Allison Pass), and Highway 97 (Pine Pass) were all shut down.
5:59 – #BCHwy5 – Reports of a multi vehicle collision (10 cars & a semi involved) northbound on the #Coquihalla before #MerrittBC blocking traffic.
Watch for snow, and black ice. @EAMOperations @YRBNicola @DriveBC pic.twitter.com/GQEeaYn5tc— CityNews Vancouver Traffic (@CityNewsTraffic) November 4, 2022
While routes have periodically reopened, conditions continued to be dicey into Friday, with DriveBC reporting many crashes throughout the day.
Social media users also shared images from some highways covered in snow, with some footage showing lines of vehicles stopped due to conditions.
1:23 – #BCHwy97C – A snowy look at the #OkanaganConnector between #MerrittBC & #KelownaBC. @YRBNicola @AimRoads @DriveBC https://t.co/CjG6f2z3Bc
— CityNews Vancouver Traffic (@CityNewsTraffic) November 4, 2022
On Friday, as the snow continued to fall, the RCMP ordered the closure of Highway 97C between the Okanagan and Merritt “due to the treacherous road conditions at the higher elevations.”
“The closure will remain in effect until further notice,” BC Highway Patrol said. “The RCMP is currently blocking access to westbound traffic and turning vehicles around until flagging crews arrive.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transportation says crews have been out “in force” through this storm to address roads.
“Safety is the ministry’s top priority. Major roads can be closed as a result of collisions, weather events, or other factors. Closures are inconvenient for travellers and costly in terms of delays in the transport of goods,” the Ministry of Transportation said in a statement to CityNews.
“The ministry and its maintenance contractors continuously monitor weather forecasts, and assess current conditions through frequent patrols to determine how to best treat roads and protect travellers.”
Plows are out on the #Coquihalla (left) and other snowy parts of BC, including #BCHwy19 on northern Vancouver Island.
Drive to conditions and leave others lots of space (including the plows!). #ShiftintoWinter pic.twitter.com/S2q4CAtUIM— BC Transportation (@TranBC) November 3, 2022
Intermittent closures remain on some of these highways, including the Coquihalla. Travellers are urged to check conditions before they head out and to ensure their vehicles are prepared for winter weather.
Drivers are reminded that appropriate tires are mandatory on most of B.C.’s highways until April 30.
Listen to CityNews 1130 for traffic updates every 10 minutes on the ones. You can also follow us on Twitter @CityNewsTraffic or subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
-With files from Cole Schisler
