UPDATE: Coquihalla reopens after serious crash

(UPDATE: June 15 @ 3:15 pm) - The Coquihalla is now fully open.

(Original story: June 15 @ 11:45 am) - The Coquihalla (Hwy 5) remains closed northbound between Hope and Merritt.

It was shut down all morning following a serious crash, suspected to be fatal, around 8 am.

Southbound lanes are open at this time and DriveBC is now projecting the northbound lanes to reopen around 3 pm.

Until the major route reopens, those looking to get to the BC Interior from the Lower Mainland are encouraged to use Hwy 1 and Hwy 3 as detour routes.

Even after the highway does reopen, heavy delays are expected due to congestion.