Coquihalla Highway Reopens After Multiple Crashes and Hazardous Conditions

The Coquihalla Highway has reopened in both directions after multiple crashes and hazardous weather conditions forced a temporary shutdown Sunday afternoon.

According to DriveBC, traffic is now moving again along the stretch of Highway 5 north of Merritt toward Kamloops, though drivers may continue to experience delays while backed-up traffic clears.

Police say the highway was closed earlier in the day after several collisions were reported roughly five kilometres south of the Helmer Road exit.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Merritt said officers responded to numerous reports of crashes as deteriorating road conditions made travel unsafe.

Emergency response

BC Emergency Health Services confirmed it responded to a motor vehicle incident on the highway shortly after 1:20 p.m.

Four ambulances were dispatched to the scene, where paramedics treated three patients before transporting them to hospital. Officials did not release details about the patients’ conditions.

Drivers stranded for hours

Motorists travelling along the busy mountain highway reported significant delays during the closure.

Amanda Horner, who was driving northbound with her husband and children, said their family was stuck in traffic for more than three hours.

“We hit all kinds of weather,” Horner said. “It was snowing hard and the roads were slick and deep.”

She said conditions shifted rapidly as they travelled north, with drivers encountering rain, slush and icy patches along different sections of the route.

According to Horner, traffic eventually began moving again after some truck drivers temporarily pulled over, allowing smaller vehicles to slowly pass through the stalled line of traffic.

Weather warnings issued

Earlier Sunday, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement for parts of southern British Columbia, including the Coquihalla corridor.

Forecasters warned that strong southwesterly winds and changing winter weather could create hazardous travel conditions in the area.

The Coquihalla Highway, a major route linking the Interior and Lower Mainland, is known for rapidly changing mountain weather, particularly during late winter storms.

Authorities are urging drivers travelling through the region to monitor conditions, reduce speed and check the latest updates before heading onto the highway.