View of the Coquihalla at the Zopkios Rest Area looking northbound at around 11:30am Tuesday, December 23, 2025. The Coquihalla from Merritt to Hope is reopening at 12:30pm/via DriveBC
UPDATE:
Drive BC is now able to confirm that the Coquihalla will be reopened to traffic in both directions as of 12:30pm today.
It comes as crews spent much of the morning plowing away snow along high-elevation stretch in the Snowshed Hill area and the Summit.
Environment Canada had forecast snow of upward of 15 centimeters through that area in the evening and overnight.
However, indications are that stretch was hit with much a much larger amount.
No word from the weather office as to how much snow may have actually fallen.
Photo of plow clearing the northbound lanes of the Coquihalla at the Zopkios Rest Area at 7:05am, December 23rd/via DriveBC
ORIGNAL: Due to heavy snow overnight, it might be until mid-morning at the earliest before we know when the Coquihalla might reopen.
Coquihalla was shut down between Merritt and Hope due to what DriveBC describes as a “vehicle incident.”
Not clear what exactly that incident, or incidents, are.
It’s believed several small crashes due to slick conditions, particularly around the Great Bear Snowshed, prompted highway officials to close the stretch from Merritt to Hope last night due to dangerous driving conditions.
Environment Canada did warn of snowfall amounts of around 15 centimeters, and no longer has a road advisory in place for the Merritt to Hope stretch of the Highway.
Travelers are being advised to use the Fraser Canyon for the time being.
**Editors note — next update due shortly after 8am
**Further update — DriveBC confirms trouble with its website had delayed notification of the reopening time, asking drivers to follow DriveBC on social media instead for the time being.
