(UPDATE: Nov. 15 @ 2:10 pm) - It doesn't appear as though Hwy 7 will reopen any time soon.
The highway, which is a main route through the north part of the Fraser Valley, was shut down Thursday evening after a rock slide sent large pieces of debris across the roadway.
Early this morning, DriveBC said a geotechnical assessment and cleanup would happen today at the site just west of Hope and Haig.
#BCHwy7 Remains CLOSED west of Haig Scale (#HopeBC) due to Rockfall event.
No estimated reopening time. Assessment in progress.
Hydro lines downed & significant pavement damage as a result.
Alternate routes via #BCHwy1 & #BCHwy9.
Check @DriveBC for updates. Cc @TranBC pic.twitter.com/6pIiFsxime— Lower Mainland Dist. (@TranBC_LMD) November 15, 2024
The ministry of transportation provided an update this afternoon, saying the slide took down hydro lines and caused "significant pavement damage."
Officials continue to assess the situation, but at this time there is no estimated timeline for the highway to reopen.
Hwy 1 is available as a detour in the meantime.
(Original story: Nov. 15 @ 8:30 am) - One of the main routes through the Fraser Valley remains closed this morning.
A significant rock slide Thursday evening resulted in the closure of Hwy 7 in both directions, just west of Hope and Haig.
A photo shared to the Coquihalla Road Reports Facebook group shows large rocks, some the size of boulders, strewn across the road.
While it’s speculated that the slide was triggered by heavy rain in the area, officials have not publicly identified a cause yet.
In an update early this morning, DriveBC said the highway remains closed due to large rocks on the road.
⛔️#BCHwy7 #LougheedHwy remains closed in both directions west of the #Haig scale due to large rocks on the road. 🪨 Geotechnical assessment and cleanup will take place this morning. 👷 Next update at 12 noon.
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 15, 2024
ℹ️ https://t.co/t9zcK55zjS #HopeBC #Agassiz https://t.co/HcqMd28s2R pic.twitter.com/fwWraKsnhg
“(A) geotechnical assessment and cleanup will take place this morning,” the update noted.
DriveBC is aiming to provide further information around noon.
While the closure of Hwy 7 certainly creates headaches for commuters, a detour is available via Hwy 1.
NowMedia will update this story as more information becomes available.
