After being closed due to the heavy rainfall and rain on snow at higher elevations, Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon is now open as of Tuesday morning (Dec. 5).
“Highway 1 is now open (South) of Lytton after being closed overnight due to heavy rains,” said DriveBC on their X (Twitter) page. “Watch for slushy and pooling water.”
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced that they would be closing Highway 1 between Boothroyd and Siska (approximately nine kilometres south of Lytton) on Monday (Dec. 4) at around 7 p.m. The closure, they said, would be in effect until an assessment was conducted on Tuesday.
During this time, checkpoints were set up just outside of Hope and Lytton to assist local traffic and to provide information on detour routes. This included askign drivers to use Highway 3 (Hope-Princeton Highway) or Highway 5 (Coquihalla Highway).
Drivers were also reminded that to have winter tires or chains on their vehicles, and to make sure they were “properly equipped for winter and be prepared for delays by carrying food, water and blankets.”
The closure was recommended by the ministry’s geotechnical experts as a precaution “in case heavy precipitation overwhelms the area affected by the Kookipi Creek wildfire,” which took place this summer.
For more information and to keep updated on road conditions, readers can check out DriveBC at either their website, www.drivebc.ca, or follow them on X (formerly Twitter) @DriveBC .
READ MORE: Atmospheric river expected to bring heavy rain to Fraser Valley
@KemoneMoodley
kemone.moodley@hopestandard.com
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