Expect pre-Christmas travel rush on roads, at airports

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you’re heading ho-ho-home for the holidays this weekend, it could be a grind.

Christmas crowds and a really big dump of snow are making it tougher for travellers.

Road closures

Highway 1 has reopened after being shut down for a couple of hours because of a rockslide just before Boston Bar, in both directions.

Read more: All three major routes into the interior shut down

Highway 3 was the only options into the interior for a brief time Friday morning, however, it’s now also been blocked due to a crash between Hope and Princeton.

#BCHwy5 #Coquihalla NB Closed #HopeBC to #Merritt due to vehicle incidents & weather conditions. Detour via #BCHwy1

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) December 20, 2019

Winter weather

There is still a travel advisory in effect for the Coquihalla, and drivers are being warned to expect delays up to an hour while travelling the highway.

NEWS 1130 Meteorologist Russ Lacate says winter storm warnings are also in effect for parts of the Trans Canada, the Connector, and Highway 3.

“Blizzard-like conditions, strong crosswinds, near-zero visibility, and more rapidly accumulating snow through today and much of tonight, too.”

The Coquihalla was closed Thursday night after being hit with a snow storm and a number of crashes between Hope and Merritt. It reopened to traffic early Monday morning.

“Snowfall amounts tallied close to midnight … were already on the order of 25 to 35 centimetres for parts of the Coquihalla and Highway 3 through Alison Pass,” Russ says, adding the snow has been falling all night. “Total estimates of 50 to 100 centimetres remain in your mountain highway forecast through today, and tonight too.”

The Friday before Christmas is traditionally a very busy travel day at Vancouver International Airport as folks head out for the holidays.

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Busy airports

Anticipating delays, many have taken the precaution of arriving at airports early to help navigate the crowds.

The folks over at Vancouver International Airport are reminding passengers to give themselves extra time during the “hustle and bustle” of the holiday season, and to confirm your travel details before you even head out the door.

Make sure you hold off on any gift wrapping — even if you’re carrying a present in your carry on — since security may need to inspect your belongings.

When it comes to getting to the airport itself, there are a few options, including driving and parking, but YVR notes the Canada Line is a “quick and efficient” option, getting you to the airport within 30 minutes or less, depending on what station you’re coming from.

And if all the stress of travel is just a little too much, you can take a moment to relax with one of YVR’s Ambassador Dogs, as part of the Less Airport Stress Initiative.

That is all. pic.twitter.com/ELHYD3Bd7U

— Vancouver International Airport (@yvrairport) December 16, 2019