Coquihalla set for earlier reopening, but no holiday traffic on Hwy 3

• Coquihalla temporary repairs ahead of schedule
• Hwy 3 'dangerous' for leisure traffic to mix with truck convoys
• Storm coming

It’s good news for the supply chain into the B.C. Interior and beyond, but bad news for anyone wanting to travel to see family and friends for the holidays.

The government has announced that it expects the Coquihalla highway to re-open to commercial traffic many weeks earlier than initially expected. However, until then, it said it would be dangerous to mix leisure traffic with truck convoys on Highway 3.

Speaking at a media briefing Thursday, Transport Minister Rob Fleming said because of the skill and round-the-clock efforts of contractors and workers, Highway 5 is expected to re-open in early January, well before the initial estimate of later that month.

“This is remarkable given the scale of damage on the Coquihalla and it’s a testament to the skill and dedication to everybody who is part of this tremendous effort,” Fleming said, also crediting favourable weather conditions, which he said needed to continue if the pace of progress is to be maintained.

No holiday trips on Hwy 3

But while an early re-opening of the Coquihalla to commercial traffic bodes well for improved transportation of vital goods, it won’t come quick enough for the holidaying motoring public hoping to get on Highway 3.

“I would advise leisure travel not to happen [for the holidays],” Fleming said, noting the airlines have added seats into the Interior, and announcing that inter-city bus companies will get an exemption to travel along Highway 3. These include Ebus, Rider Express and Mountain Man Mike’s.

“With upwards of about 3,000 trucks a day on that highway, with it’s steep grade and tight curves, it would be dangerous to mix leisure passenger traffic in with convoys of trucks,” Fleming explained.

He said Washington State remains an alternate route between the Lower Mainland and the Interior, but warned of possible and unknown complications that may yet arise for U.S. travel given the new Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Hwy 3 remains economic lifeline

While acknowledging people will be disappointed not to be able to travel by road over the holidays, Fleming highlighted the critical economic importance to workers, families and communities of maintaining the essential travel order on Highway 3.

“If we didn’t have parts and machinery and essential items that are part of the supply chain, businesses would have to curtail production, have to shut down, we’d have people laid off for Christmas and that would be the worst possible thing,” he said.

The plan is to allow non-essential traffic to use Highway 3 once the Coquihalla is open for commercial use.

Storm coming

Meanwhile, the ministry warned of a snowstorm heading for many parts of B.C., including the Hope to Princeton section of Highway 3. Up to 60 mm of rain and up to 25 cm of snow at elevation was forecast through Friday and Saturday.