Highway 1 reopens from Bridal Falls to Hope following mudslide

Nov 23, 2017 | 3:34 PM

KAMLOOPS – UPDATE – 8:15 a.m. November 25 – Highway 1 is now open in both directions from Bridal Falls to Hope.

Motorists should still expect a slowdown in the area as eastbound and westbound is down to single lane traffic to allow crews to clean up the debris.

EARLIER – 

UPDATE- 7:00 am November 24-     Crews have worked through the night on Highway 1 in the eastern Fraser Valley as they try to clear a series of mudslides that blocked the route in both directions more than 24 hours ago.

    No one was hurt when watery muck, rocks, trees and other debris washed across the highway after heavy rains, coupled with record high temperatures melting early snowfall, destabilized the hillside above the road.

    It’s hoped the westbound lanes of Highway 1 can be reopened by around noon today, but officials say it will likely be midday tomorrow before the eastbound lanes are cleared and traffic is moving again.

    In the meantime, a detour is available via highways 9 and 7, although construction on a section of Highway 9 has created long delays and drivers are urged to switch from Highway 1 to Highway 7, or vice versa, further west at Abbotsford, rather than at Agassiz

 

EARLIER-  .Highway 1 was closed from just east of Bridal Falls to Hope on Thursday morning, after a trio of mudslides came down on the road.

According to the RCMP, the first slide was reported around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday near Herrling Island, blocking traffic in both directions.

Two truck trailers and a car eventually became stuck in the slides, but police said no injuries have been reported.

DriveBC says the highway is closed eastbound from Bridal Falls, and westbound from Hope.

Drivers are being directed to take Highways 7 and 9 as alternate routes.

Crews are undertaking a geotechnical assessment of the area.

DriveBC estimates the westbound lane will open Friday at noon while the eastbound lane will reopen Saturday afternoon.