Photo: DriveBC

The provincial government will be closing Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet at 4 p.m.

The precautionary closure is taking place as the third of three atmospheric rivers bears down on B.C.

Highway 3 will remain open, keeping a vital road link between the Lower Mainland and the BC Interior flowing. Travel restrictions remain in place on that route limiting travel to essential purposes only.

Drivers are asked to slow down and expect delays on the route, which is still recovering from the first atmospheric river two weeks ago.

“We are in the midst of an extraordinary situation that requires an extraordinary response,” Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming said.

He said the province is working to open Highway 1 in the Fraser Valley as soon as possible. For now, essential travellers will have to use Highway 7 to access Hope and the Crowsnest Highway.