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UPDATE: Coquihalla Highway expected to be closed until midnight or into the morning hours

UPDATE: May 22, 2017 3:15 p.m

The Ministry of Transportation is reporting that the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt is expected to remain closed in both directions well into the evening, and possibly overnight, following an incident involving a burning semi-trailer truck carrying dangerous goods.

Ministry crews and VSA Highway Maintenance are working with the Ministry of Environment, Transport Canada and a hazardous materials team to contain the situation.

Today is traditionally one of the Coquihalla's busiest days of the year with as many as 25,000 vehicles travelling this stretch of highway.

Drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes, check DriveBC for updates, drive to conditions while exercising caution and expect major delays.

UPDATE: May 22, 2017 1:18 p.m. The Coquihalla is expected to be closed until midnight.

According to Drive BC, Highway 5 from Hope to Merritt will remain closed for the day due to a dangerous goods fire.

VSA Highway Maintenance also announced at 1.18 p.m. that they had begun to extinguish the fire and start cleaning up the highway.

The estimated time of opening is 12.00 a.m. on May 23rd.

An air quality advisory was issued due to the semi truck fire.

The advisory has been issued following a semi truck carrying potentially hazardous chemicals caught fire on Highway 5 near the Coldwater Road Exchange earlier this morning. The advisory is due to potential health impacts created by smoke coming from the fire.

People in or around the area who smell or taste anything unusual in the air are advised to seek shelter indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off any air intakes (like air conditioning). If individuals continue to smell anything unusual indoors then they should leave the immediate area and seek cleaner air.

Likely symptoms include mild to moderate irritation of the nose, throat, respiratory tract or eyes.

Individuals who experience more severe respiratory symptoms, headache, nausea or dizziness should seek medical assistance.

Currently, there are no indications that local water has been impacted by the fire.

<who> Google Maps, Drive BC </who>

Google Maps, Drive BC

(Original Story: May 22, 2017 - 8.20 a.m.) Coquihalla closed in both directions

Highway 5 is closed in both directions 25km south of Merritt due to a transport truck fire.

An alternate route is available via Highways 1 and 8 (Merrit) or 3 and 97 (Kelowna).

Alternate route via Highway 1 (Kamloops)

Currently, there is no estimated time of opening.

An assessment of the incident is underway.

To check up on the latest highway updates, visit DriveBC here.



Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to [email protected].



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