The good news is that rail has begun moving again from on both CN and CP tracks but at reduced volume. That means the port can start cleaning up its backlog. Road wise, traffic has been restored through Hope to Princeton and along hte Sea to Sky and Pemberton to Lilloette. Neither were ever fast in the best of times and it is one lane travel.
Still this is no longer impossible
Essential traffic can still divert to the USA Interstate system handily enough
Here's a rundown of highway closures and conditions in B.C.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-road-conditions-1.6258916
Washouts and closures have made travel in B.C. a challenge, but this list will help you plan ahead
CBC News · Posted: Nov 22, 2021 5:00 PM PT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
Debris is seen at the Highway 7 mudslide west of Agassiz, B.C., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Highways connecting the Lower Mainland to the rest of B.C. have faced flooding, landslides and in some cases, complete washouts since a historic storm hit the province Nov. 14.
Many people who were left stranded when travel between the Lower Mainland and the rest of the province was cut off chose to head south into Washington state and back into Canada to get home. At least 200 sites on highways in the Lower Mainland and Interior were affected, according to the province. However, the state of highways in B.C. remains ever changing as new slides are discovered and other highways are reopened following cleanup.
Here's a look at the state of B.C.'s highways as of Nov. 26, 2021.
Lower Mainland
Highway 1: The Trans Canada Highway, which has been closed between Chilliwack and Abbotsford, as flooding continues to impact the City of Abbotsford and other parts of the Fraser Valley, will reopen Thursday.
Fleming said the highway was opened in the Sumas area, through the Fraser Valley, at 2 p.m. on Thursday. There are reduced speed limits on the route but it will be open for general travel.
"This will provide a lot of welcome congestion relief and mobility," Fleming said.
Highway 7: As of Nov. 23 at 8 p.m., Highway 7 from Mission to Hope will be restricted to essential travel only. Officials have updated the definition of essential travel to include school buses, public transit vehicles and charter buses to transport individuals to work and school while the order is in effect.
Fleming says this order "is for the short-term."
Last week, motorists were stranded as a result of multiple mudslides on this stretch of highway. According to the Ministry of Transportation, abandoned vehicles on Highway 7 are being towed and, as of Monday night, will be moved to secure storage. Owners of the vehicles are asked to call Reliable Towing at 1-888-463-8621 for more information.
Highway 11: A stretch of Highway 11 from Hazelwood Drive to Valley Road is closed due to flooding in Abbotsford, but there are detours through the city.
Routes connecting Lower Mainland to Interior
Highway 1: The Trans Canada Highway between Hope and Spences Bridge is closed, though it is open for essential travel from Hope as far as Boothroyd (through Yale, Spuzzum and Boston Bar).
Provincial officials said on Friday afternoon that Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon would be proactively closed on Saturday as more damage is anticipated from storms. This includes the stretch of the highway between Hope and Popkum.
An exact time of closing was not provided, with officials saying it will depend on weather conditions. The time of reopening will also depend on the weather.
Highway 3: Highway 3 opened between Hope and Princeton Tuesday to essential travel only with a single lane in each direction.
The route will be proactively closed on Saturday afternoon due to the incoming storm.
Highway 5: The Coquihalla Highway remains closed between Hope and Merritt following multiple, severe washouts that damaged it last week. No detours are being suggested, and experts say it could be weeks before crews can even begin repairs to roads — and rebuilding roads during winter is not easy.
Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said about 20 sites, or 130 kilometres, of the corridor were damaged, including some collapsed bridges.
"This is going to be a daunting task to get that highway fully operational," he said, adding that crews have already started repair work.
He says he's hopeful the Coquihalla will be open to commercial traffic in about two months, depending on weather.
A mudslide took out a large portion of the Coquihalla Highway, 11 kilometres south of the Great Bear Snowshed. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure )
Highway 99: The highway between Lillooet and Pemberton, which was previously closed due to a landslide, is now open for essential travel only and only for smaller vehicles. Officials say nothing larger than a cube truck can travel that road at the moment.
However, it will be closed to all traffic on Saturday afternoon as more damage is anticipated from rainfall.
Interior
Highway 8: The highway connecting Merritt to Spences Bridge is closed, and has been essentially destroyed by washouts.
Fleming says 18 segments of the highway were damaged, including four bridges.
A temporary bridge has been set up near Canford to provide local residents alternative access to the area.
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