A warning from the BC government that Southern Interior highways are not recommended for driving on over the next few days.
The weather system which is moving in along the South Coast is expected to bring freezing rain and icy conditions to many parts of the Southern Interior starting Friday and moving eastward through until Sunday.
Steve Sirett, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Transportation Southern Interior office in Kamloops says these conditions could last for the next three or four days.
“As this storm starts to push further into the Interior, our contractors are deploying all through the area expecting some possibility for some freezing rain further into the Interior, and as temperatures warm, avalanche conditions are expected to rise.”
Meanwhile, Sirett says maintenance contractors will be working 24/7 throughout this storm cycle.
“The Coquihalla is an area where our contractors are focused right now, actively working to push snow back and Ice planning some of the compacts we are experiencing out there in preparation for the storm coming, we are expecting to see some freezing rain on the southern and western end of that highway along with the Canyon, Highway 3 and Allison Pass.”
Additionally, he says these road crews will be watching as snow turns into freezing rain.
“At that point, we will be trying to place as much salt as possible to battle the freezing rain however the prolonged nature of this event and the amount of freezing rain expected, there is only so much salt they can put down so, we do expect some very slippery conditions as a result.”
The Ministry is also warning that it may proactively shut down highways, particularly the major routes like the Coquihalla if the driving becomes too dangerous.
Those who must drive should be equipped with winter tires with adequate tread. Commercial vehicles over 5,500 kilograms must carry chains and anticipate that mandatory chain-ups will be in effect.
Drivers are asked to provide space for maintenance contractors on highways and refrain from passing equipment in operation until it is safe.
-With Files from Paul James
