Getting to and from the Lower Mainland and Kamloops just got a bit easier.

The BC Government has confirmed the entire section of the Coquihalla, from Kamloops to Hope, is completely open to four-lane traffic.

Transportation Minster Rob Fleming says the reopening comes after crews were able to complete repairs on three different bridge decks following last years atmospheric river storms.

“It was just down to the Jessica, Juliette, Bottle Top Bridges, those are now all temporarily repaired, and opened at full capacity,” Fleming said. “The highway was running very well as I think you know and your listeners know, and I appreciate the mail they have sent and people were amazed by how quickly we got it repaired.”

He says the repairs to these bridges will help eliminate traffic queuing up in those areas.

“Its great, there is a lot of commercial and goods movement going on on the Coquihalla, and this is good for industry, I am sure the ski hills are thrilled and anybody who is planning to travel to visit friends and family over the holidays it is going to make it that much smoother,” Fleming added.

While Fleming is ecstatic they were able to fully open the Coquihalla, just in time for the holiday travel season, he says there will still need to be traffic controls in-place on the bridges through the winter.

“Basically those bridges that you are going to be travelling on are going to be entirely replaced,” he said. “I’m not encouraging people travelling to look over but you will be able to see the site of the new bridges.”

Speed zone restrictions will remain in-place as the permanent work to permanently repair the sections continues.

“By reopening the Coquihalla to four lanes, we’re increasing safety and reducing congestion,” added Fleming. “This is great news for people, industry and the provincial economy as we head into another busy travel season.”

This comes just over a year after the atmospheric river washed away large sections of the Coquihalla and other highways, snarling transportation to and from the Southern Interior from the Lower Mainland before temporary repairs could first be completed.

The highway was reopened to commercial traffic in December 2021 and to all traffic a month later, in January 2022.