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The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) reopened around noon on Tuesday between Hope and Merritt, B.C., after it closed overnight due to multiple vehicle crashes.
A travel advisory remains in effect for the highway, however, with DriveBC warning travellers to expect compact snow, bumpy sections and narrow lanes due to heavy snow banks.
The 109-kilometre stretch of highway initially closed around 9:30 p.m. PT Monday evening following numerous crashes.
Al Quiring, who runs Quiring Towing and Recovery, said he was out all night working to clear a crash that involved multiple semi-trucks.
“Once that happens, the snow plows that were going up and down the highway … are unable to circulate on that hill anymore so it starts to spiral out of control,” Quiring said.
He said a snowstorm in combination with holiday traffic and extra traffic detoured from Highway 3, which has been closed for almost two weeks, made it a treacherous night.
He said people should be prepared with proper tires and ensure they are driving slowly.
“There were several vehicles that we pulled out with bald tires, and it’s unfortunate,” he said.
A DriveBC photo shows one of the vehicle incidents, on Showshed Hill, Monday evening. (DriveBC)
Environment Canada issued weather warnings for the same stretch of the Coquihalla Tuesday, calling for up to 15 centimetres of snowfall.
It said drivers should be prepared for reduced visibility and possible further road closures.
DriveBC advises travellers to be prepared for winter driving by having proper tires and chains, a full tank of gas, and carrying food, water and warm clothing.
Just southeast of Hope, a 46-kilometre stretch of Highway 3 between Hope and Manning Park Resort is closed due to recent flooding, and is expected to remain closed for the next several weeks.Â