(Image Credit: Destiny Sam-Deneault/Facebook)

By Victor Kaisar

Winter Driving

UPDATE: Travel not recommended as RCMP report multiple crashes on Coquihalla near Merritt

Mar 8, 2026 | 2:16 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — (UPDATE 7:00 p.m.): Traffic is moving again on the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt but RCMP say travel is not recommended.

In an update released just before 6:00 p.m. Sunday (March 8), Merritt RCMP said they responded to a number of crashes on the highway about five kilometres south of Helmer Road.

“No injuries have been reported,” the statement said, as RCMP added the highway between Kamloops and Merritt was closed because of unsafe road conditions.

“If you must travel, motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes and drive to the conditions.”

According to DriveBC, the highway was fully reopened around 6:10 p.m., but they said drivers should expect delays as traffic resumes flowing. A detour was available via Highway 97D and Highway 97C or Highway 5A while the Coquihalla was closed.

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✅ CLEAR – #BCHwy5 has fully reopened in both directions north of #Merritt after a previous vehicle incident. Expect delays as the traffic resumes.#Kamloops https://t.co/kVCF7ho7qo

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) March 9, 2026

A commercial vehicle chain up at Clapperton was ended just before 7:00 p.m. It was issued as DriveBC warned of winter driving conditions between Merritt and Kamloops. Drivers were told watch for compact snow between Merritt and the Surrey Lake Summit and slushy and slippery sections from the summit to Kamloops.

Specific details about the crashes are not yet clear but several travellers took to social media to report that there were spun out trucks and cars in both directions on the Coquihalla. Others said semis were parked in the middle of the highway so drivers could put their chains on.

(Image Credit: Marcus Wally Scherer/Facebook)

(Image Credit: Aiden Arthur/Facebook)

The latest forecast from Environment Canada is calling about 5 cm of snow today on the Coquihalla between Kamloops and Merritt and about 10 cm between Merritt and Hope.

You can find the latest weather alerts from Environment Canada here and the latest on highway conditions from DriveBC here.