BC Flood Response: Key Updates & New Industry Resources

On December 9, the BC Government provided an update on highway closures, restrictions and repairs following the significant damage caused by flooding and landslides in the province last month, and what people should expect for travel options this holiday season in British Columbia. Currently, it is not expected that roads between the Lower Mainland and the Interior will be open to non-essential traffic before the New Year.

Further details:

• Highway 7: Essential travel restrictions on Highway 7 were lifted earlier this week, and most of the commercial vehicles that had been using Highway 7 have switched over Highway 1, since it reopened last week.
• Coquihalla Highway: Based on the exceptional progress to-date, and if favorable weather allows crews to maintain this pace, the Coquihalla highway could reopen in early January 2022 for essential vehicles.
• Highway 3: Highway 3 will remain restricted to essential travel only, until the Coquihalla can reopen to commercial traffic with temporary repairs.
• Highway 1: Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon is on track for a mid-January reopening.
• Highway 99:Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet will continue to be restricted to essential vehicles no larger than a cube truck.

Alternate options for travel to the Interior from the Lower Mainland:

• An increase in air travel options is coming, as airlines work to increase their capacity from Vancouver and Abbotsford into the Interior.
• One change was made to the travel order for Highway 3, to include intercity bus services, which are now permitted for non-essential travel.
• There are options for bus transportation from the Lower Mainland to Kelowna and Kamloops through companies like Ebus, Rider Expressand Mountain Man Mike Bus Service.

To help industry navigate winter travel questions among the latest entry requirements and road closures, Destination BC has created a new Winter Travel Guide (updated December 17). The document provides key messaging, information and infographics, and resources for BC’s tourism industry as it relates to travel to and within BC this Winter. Topics include travel routes, trip planning, transportation, visitor servicing, health protocols, entry requirements, and proof of vaccination requirements for various activities and businesses. The document will be updated as needed, as the situation evolves.

An additional Resident Winter Travel and Recreation Toolkit has been developed by several sector association and marketing partners as a guide for operators to share with visitors who plan to travel in British Columbia this winter.