UPDATE: 4:10 p.m.
Highway 7 between Hope and Agassiz has reopened to essential travel, opening a critical supply between Hope and the Lower Mainland.
“Drivers can expect single-lane alternating traffic and significant delays due to congestion,” the provincial government said Thursday afternoon.
With the Trans-Canada Highway under feet of water in Abbotsford, Highway 7 will serve a vital in establishing supply chains between the Lower Mainland and the B.C. Interior.
The provincial government says crews are working to remove debris from Highway 3, which is expected to open “at some point this weekend.”
Highway 5 eastbound of Hope remains closed and will stay that way for "months."
Highway 1 to from Hope to Boston Bar is open for emergency access only. Highway 1 east of Boston Bar is closed with an unknown estimated time of opening.
If it is not essential, don’t travel.
ORIGINAL: 11:55 a.m.
A path has now been cleared for commercial transport truck drivers stuck in Hope since Monday.
Truckers were allowed to exit Hope west on Highway 7 on Thursday morning, following a similar evacuation of passenger vehicles on Wednesday evening.
“The intent of this opening is to allow those commercial drivers stranded in Hope and area to make their way toward the Lower Mainland,” the provincial government said in a statement.
Following this evacuation of commercial vehicles westbound from Hope, Highway 7 will be closed again between Agassiz and Hope so crews can continue to work on the highway. However, emergency services vehicles will continue to have access.
The ministry hopes to have Highway 7 open to single-lane alternating traffic for all vehicles between Hope and Agassiz later today.
