Vehicle incident closes Coquihalla Highway southbound, storm warning in effect

Drive BC says the Coquihalla Highway has been closed to southbound traffic between Merritt and Hope due to a vehicle incident.

The closure was announced at around 2:40 p.m. Wednesday.

An assessment is in progress.

For updates, check Drive BC.

A winter storm warning is in effect for that stretch of Highway 5 with heavy snow falling and another 10 to 20 cms in the forecast for Wednesday night.

-Original story-

Winter weather turns Coquihalla into a parking lot near the summit

Traffic is backing up on the southbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway near the summit in poor winter driving conditions.

A video replay from Drive B.C. webcams shows the backup began around 1:00 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 28).

Drive B.C. reports a traffic advisory along the route, but no closure as of 1:30 p.m.

Environment Canada has a winter storm warning in effect for the Coquihalla between Merritt and Hope, with heavy snow, strong winds and reduced driving visibility predicted.

Snow accumulation is expected to begin tapering off later in the day Thursday.

(Story by James Peters/CFJC Today)