Coquihalla Highway reopens after multiple collisions

Photo: DriveBC webcam

Larson Hill northbound 3 p.m. Jan. 11, 2022

UPDATE 3 p.m.

The Coquihalla Highway has reopened in both directions after closures earlier Tuesday due to multiple collisions in two locations.

? CLEAR - #BCHwy5 The highway is now fully OPEN in both directions from #HopeBC to #Merritt after being closed northbound due to a previous vehicle incident. Expect some delays to continue due to congestion. #Coquihalla

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) January 11, 2022

ORIGINAL 11:22 a.m.

The Coquihalla Highway was closed again Tuesday morning.

DriveBC reports multiple collisions on the route that is currently only open to commercial vehicles.

Highway 5 is closure northbound, from nine kilometres south of Great Bear Snowshed to one kilometre south of Merritt.

It was also closed southbound between Comstock Rd. and Coldwater Rd., 25 kilometres south of Merritt, but has now reopened.

Cpl. Mike Halskov with BC Highway Patrol told Castanet the crash near Larsen Hill Summit, 25 Kilometres south of Merritt involves five semis. Only minor injuries are reported.

Halskov also notes that the weather conditions in the area, with temperatures near zero, could be contributing to black ice on the highway.

“I just want to advise all drivers out there, but commercial drivers that are using Highway 5 especially, because it’s for commercial use only currently, you’ve got to drive according to the conditions and make sure that your vehicle is properly equipped. And that means using chains when and if required to navigate high mountain passes. Just be aware that the conditions can change with very little warning and you need to be cognisant of that and drive accordingly.”