A section of Highway 3 remains closed for repairs after a washout on Wednesday, Dec. 16. (Image Credit: Ministry of Transportation and Transit)

By Victor Kaisar

Crowsnest Highway

Several weeks of repairs needed at site of washout on Highway 3 east of Hope

Dec 20, 2025 | 10:22 AM

HOPE — Travellers between the Lower Mainland and Southern Interior will have to use an alternate route as repairs continue on the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) between Hope and Manning Park, after it sustained extensive damage as a result of last week’s extreme weather.

On Wednesday, Dec. 16, water from heavy rain washed away a 50-metre section of the highway about 42 kilometres east of the Highway 3/5 junction near Hope.

In an update Friday (Dec. 19), the Ministry of Transportation and Transit said work is underway to restore single-lane access through that site so the highway between Hope and Princeton can be reopened.

“Several weeks of work are necessary to be able to restore access to Highway 3 at this location on a temporary alignment,” the Ministry said. “A more precise timeline will be available in the coming days as further technical assessments and engineering work is completed.”

In all, the Ministry noted that ‘extensive damage’ was found at 11 sites on Highway 3 between Hope and Manning Park. A total of 22 sites sustained damage, and the Ministry said Friday that work at all other sites affected by flooding and slides are nearing completion, with partial access restored.

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“Sunshine Valley is accessible from Hope, while Manning Park Resort can be accessed from Highway 3 via Princeton, the Ministry added. “Checkpoints remain at Hope and Princeton to advise travellers there is no through traffic.”

Drivers are asked to expect heavier traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway and the Coquhalla while Highway 3 remains inaccessible. At the moment, travel is not recommended on the Hope to Merritt section of the Coquihalla because of heavy snow and high winds.

“People travelling for the holidays between the Lower Mainland and Southern Interior must use an alternative route,” the Ministry added. “Drive with caution and plan extra time for your journey.”

You can find the latest on highway conditions from DriveBC here.