Coquihalla reopened between Hope and Merritt
Posted February 22, 2014 10:55 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HOPE (NEWS1130) – The Coquihalla is open again between Hope and Merritt.
Highway 5 has been closing repeatedly over the past week because of high avalanche hazard.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone says he’s very pleased the highway is open again. “Our ministry’s avalanche technicians, highways staff, and the highway maintenance contractors have all worked tirelessly to get the avalanche control activities safely completed and they are to be congratulated. They’ve been going all out to reopen this important highway as quickly as possible and today they succeeded.”
“Again, I thank motorists for their patience, as I know this has been frustrating. Now that the highway is open I remind travellers to drive safely and to the conditions,” he adds in an emailed statement.
Bob Gilowski with VSA Highway Maintenance says anyone making the trip this weekend should make sure they are prepared for a lot of snow. “The last 12 days of continual snowfall, which got close to 300 cms, driving conditions are winter driving conditions. Drivers can expect compact snow throughout the Coquihalla Summit.”
Drive BC warns that lane widths are reduced because of snow.
Drivers are asked to use caution and keep an eye out for maintenance workers and vehicles.
