Passage cleared on Hwy 7 for 1,000 drivers stranded in Hope

Photo: BC Transportation

The first vehicles moving through as Hwy 7 is reopened for westbound travellers stranded in Hope Nov. 17, 2021

The more than 1,000 motorists stranded in Hope since Monday due to catastrophic landslides can now make their way to the Lower Mainland.

The provincial government says Highway 7 between Agassiz and Hope has reopened as of 5 p.m.

“This opening will be limited to westbound traffic only and is only open to passenger vehicles. The intent of this opening is to allow those people stranded in Hope to make their way toward the Lower Mainland,” the government news release said.

BC Transportation posted a video on social media late Wednesday showing the first of the stranded getting through.

First vehicles leaving #HopeBC tonight. #BCHwy7 reopened for westbound travellers stranded in Hope.

Info - https://t.co/VFpN0XkW86 pic.twitter.com/eAByhkKtvB

— BC Transportation (@TranBC) November 18, 2021

Following this evacuation of passenger vehicles westbound from Hope, Highway 7 will be closed again between Agassiz and Hope so crews can continue to work on the highway. However, emergency services vehicles will continue to have access.

Travellers are advised to expect delays, and sections of the route may be single lane alternating traffic.

The Ministry of Transportation says it is working as quickly as possible to reopen a road link between the Lower Mainland and BC Interior, which will most likely be Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton.

It is hoped that will be reopened next week.

Photo: BC Gov

Aerial view of clean up on Higway 7 east of Aggasiz