Hwy 3 reopens, fuel restrictions extended ahead of new storms

• Fuel restrictions continue in parts of province
• Key pipeline not repaired yet
• Fuel arriving from Alberta and U.S.

For the third time in under a week, British Columbians along the coast and into the Fraser Valley are bracing themselves for more extraordinary weather.

Meanwhile, fuel and travel restrictions will continue in parts of the province.

Persistent heavy rain is forecast Tuesday and through Wednesday as the third atmospheric river in the most recent series of storms is set to dump up to 100 mm in parts, accompanied by 60 km/h winds in some places.

Already saturated areas could flood again quickly and the status of already compromised highways linking the Lower Mainland and the Interior will continue to be monitored.

Kelowna and area will not be affected, as unseasonably warmer weather is forecast for most of the week.

Restrictions extended

The provincial government announced an extension to fuel restrictions and the State of Emergency through Dec. 14. This is because of ongoing repairs to the Trans Mountain pipeline that supplies oil for refining in the Lower Mainland. Also, restrictions on highways allowing only essential travel will continue.

Speaking at a media briefing Monday, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth acknowledged how fuel and travel restrictions would be a concern to those looking to travel to family and friends as holiday season approaches, but said it was crucial for the province ‘to stay the course.’

“We understand that people want to be able to make travel plans, and we are working to make good progress in repairing travel corridors in the [coming] days and weeks,” he said. “Again, at this time, the priority for fuel needs to be given to commercial and essential vehicles to reconnect communities … and deliver goods and services we all depend on.”

Farnworth thanked emergency crews, contractors and volunteers who are working around the clock to ensure these restrictions can be lifted as soon as possible.

To help compensate for the current shortage of fuel, Minister of Energy Bruce Ralston said supplies had made their way to the Lower Mainland on trains from Alberta and via barge from the United States.

He said if British Columbians continue to respect the limit of 30 litres per non-essential vehicle, the province will continue to have a stable reserve until normal supply chains are back online.

“We ask that everyone continues to follow the extended order … this will ensure we continue to prioritize essential vehicles,” Ralston said.

Hwy 3 open again

On a more positive note, stretches of highway preemptively closed Saturday due to the risk from more storms, re-opened Monday afternoon.

Highway 3 had already been closed for much of Friday because of a crash involving two semi-trucks that killed three people, and there was a further closure elsewhere along the route Monday morning after an accident.

The restricted access highway, which has become the key corridor for food and supplies into the Okanagan, was reopened Monday at 1:30 p.m., some good news according to Transport Minister Rob Fleming.

“So, that highway connection between Hope and Princeton has been reopened, and with Highway 7 also remaining open, it provides a vital corridor for the movement of essential goods,” Fleming said.

However, he said the routes remain under an order for essential travel only, and reiterated how highways could be closed again preemptively should the weather conditions dictate.