
With heavy rain in the forecast, the Trans-Canada Highway through the Fraser Canyon will be closed at midnight tonight, Nov. 10.
Drive BC says the proactive closure from Boothroyd to Lytton is due to the risk of mudslides in fire-affected areas.
“The closure is a precautionary safety measure because heavy rain has the potential to cause mud and debris flows within areas affected by wildfire,” a statement from the Provincial Government said.
“There will continue to be local access for communities on Blue Lake Road in the south and Duncan Road in the north.”
The highway is expected to open around 9 a.m. Saturday morning, Nov. 11, though the Province says it will be subject to an inspection by geotechnical engineers.
“[They] will assess the area for safety and the highway will be reopened when safe to do so,” the province said.
Drivers can detour using the Coquihalla or Highway 3, though a significant amount of snow is expected to fall on mountain highways this weekend.
Environment Canada is calling for as much as 30-centimetres of snow on the Hope to Merritt section of the Coquihalla between tomorrow and Sunday morning, which could lead to potentially difficult winter travel conditions.
“A weather system crossing southern B.C. will produce heavy snow over a few interior highways during the upcoming Remembrance day weekend,” Environment Canada said, in a statement.
“Precipitation will start as snow mixed with rain tonight, then change to heavy snow Saturday morning and continue through Saturday night. Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Weather in the mountains can change suddenly resulting in hazardous driving conditions.”
For the latest road information on road conditions, go here.