UPDATE (February 22, 2014 - 10:00am) - The Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt has re-opened to traffic following the completion of avalanche control and highway clearing work. An assessment this morning by avalanche technicians determined that the avalanche control activities carried out yesterday were successful. Highway maintenance crews worked throughout the evening to clear the highway. Drivers are advised to check drivebc.ca for the most up-to-date highway information.

KAMLOOPS - Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone today issued the following statement on extreme conditions on the Coquihalla Highway.

"Today, the Coquihalla Highway remains closed between Hope and Merritt because of a high avalanche hazard. The highway will remain closed until avalanche control activities can be completed to ensure the safety of the travelling public.

"Over the last 10 days, there have been almost three metres of snow along the Coquihalla Highway corridor. This huge volume of snow is sitting on a weak layer, making it very unstable. The result has been slides on paths that have never before reached the highway in the 27 years that the Coquihalla Highway has been open.

"Our ministry's avalanche technicians have been conducting avalanche control activities the last two weeks to reduce the risk. The control mission we are hoping to undertake today is one of the largest avalanche control missions in the history of the Coquihalla Highway and will involve up to three helicopters.

"I would like to acknowledge the hard work of our ministry avalanche technicians, highways staff and our highway maintenance contractors and their employees during this extraordinary period. They have been going all out to reopen this important highway as quickly as possible.

"Highway maintenance remains a priority for this government and our funding remains consistent year over year. Provincewide, we have invested approximately $384 million in the past year on highway maintenance.

"I thank motorists for their patience, and remind travellers that Highway 1, Highway 3 and Highway 8 are available as detour routes until the Coquihalla reopens. Motorists are advised to check DriveBC.ca for updates."

Media Contact:

Robert Adam
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241