Crews have re-established the road connection to the community of Stewart on Highway 37A, with scheduled highway openings beginning September 15.

There is still significant work underway to repair all the damage along Highway 37A. Because it is an active construction zone, openings will be limited at first to daylight hours, and pilot cars will be used to guide motorists along the highway.

Eastbound openings for traffic leaving Stewart will begin today at 2 p.m. Westbound openings into Stewart will leave Meziadin Junction at 3 p.m. As repairs proceed, the openings will be expanded to improve access for residents and industry. DriveBC has detailed information on the scheduled road openings at www.drivebc.ca

The Province has worked closely with the District of Stewart over the past nine days to support local residents and stranded visitors. This includes organizing barges to bring supplies into the community and helping stranded travellers and their vehicles out of the community.

The highway was closed on Sept. 6, following major washouts, debris flows and flooding caused by heavy rainfall that damaged sections of road interspersed along almost 20 km of Highway 37A. Crews continue to work around the clock to stabilize slopes, redirect streams back into their channels and reconstruct the highway.

Motorists are advised to drive with caution and follow the direction of the on-site traffic control personnel as construction crews continue to make repairs to the highway, shoulders and culverts.

Learn More:

For photos of flood damage and reconstruction efforts, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tranbc/sets/72157627493160347/

For more information on flooding in the Northwest, visit: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/northwesternbc_flooding/index.html

For travel advisories and closure updates, please check DriveBC at: www.drivebc.ca

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241