The British Columbia government has announced a crucial update for travellers and communities cut off by recent severe weather: Highway 3 is expected to reopen to traffic by New Year's Day. The vital corridor linking the Lower Mainland and the B.C. Interior was severely damaged by a series of powerful storms.
Repair Timeline Accelerated
In a Sunday announcement, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit provided a new, more optimistic forecast. While initial assessments suggested a closure lasting weeks, engineers have now determined that an "interim alignment" can allow traffic to flow between December 26 and December 31. This is significantly sooner than first feared.
The breakthrough came after further inspection revealed that less extensive work was required than initially thought. Crucially, utilities in the area will not need to be relocated, which has accelerated the repair schedule dramatically. The ministry emphasized that this timeline is contingent on favourable conditions holding.
The Scope of the Damage
The most critical failure occurred on December 16, when heavy rains from an atmospheric river event washed away approximately 50 metres of Highway 3. The site is located between Princeton and Hope, about 42 kilometres east of the Highway 3 and 5 junction.
This was not an isolated incident. A succession of atmospheric rivers beginning around December 10 caused havoc along the route, damaging an estimated 30 separate locations with flooding and mudslides. While repairs to most other sections are slated for completion by Monday, the highway cannot fully reopen until the major washout is addressed.
How the Temporary Fix Will Work
Crews have been working around the clock since the failure. Their current plan involves clearing the damaged site and constructing a temporary detour that reroutes traffic around the affected area. This interim solution will enable the highway to reopen while permanent, long-term repairs are designed and executed.
Drivers should prepare for significant changes when the highway reopens:
- The temporary detour will have a strict speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour.
- Motorists are urged to slow down and proceed with extreme caution.
- This detour will remain in effect until the permanent rebuild is complete, a process the ministry notes involves major design and construction work.
The government's news release stated, "Contractors are working around the clock to restore the highway and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit is sourcing material and supplies as quickly as possible." It added that if conditions remain favourable, the opening could potentially occur even earlier than the Boxing Day to New Year's Day window.
The accelerated repair plan offers a welcome relief for the region's transportation network as the holiday season concludes, reconnecting communities and restoring a key goods movement corridor.
