(UPDATE: March 9 @ 8:15 am) - Both the Coquihalla (Hwy 5) and Trans-Canada (Hwy 1) have reopened.
🛣️ A Look Around BC.#MerrittBC #BCHwy5 #CoquihallaHwy
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) March 9, 2026
Current conditions as of 7:57am Monday 9 March 2026: clouds and minus 4.
Today's forecast: flurries and windy with a high of 3 degrees.https://t.co/MNovn5KGvc pic.twitter.com/emrpS6pfu9
(Original story: March 9 @ 5:10 am) - Dangerous winter driving conditions and multiple incidents have forced closures on two major B.C. highways, disrupting travel on the Coquihalla and the Trans-Canada Highway.
RCMP say they received several reports of motor vehicle collisions on Highway 5 about five kilometres south of the Helmer Road exit near Merritt on Sunday.
No injuries were reported, but unsafe road conditions prompted authorities to close the highway between Merritt and Kamloops.
Police say a single lane in each direction has since reopened, though travel remains hazardous.
⛔️👋REMINDER - The #CoquihallaHwy is CLOSED southbound between #Merritt and #HopeBC due to a vehicle incident. Detour via #BCHwy1 through #Kamloops. Next update at 4am PDT. #BCHwy5 https://t.co/8iaD26hTmY
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) March 9, 2026
Motorists are being advised to avoid the route if possible and to seek alternate highways or drive according to conditions.
The Coquihalla Highway was also closed southbound between Merritt and Hope due to a separate vehicle incident earlier in the morning.
DriveBC said drivers heading south were being detoured along Highway 1 through Kamloops.
⚠️UPDATE - #BCHwy1 is now open 15km west of #ThreeValleyGap to single-lane alternating traffic. #Sicamous #Revelstoke https://t.co/SVSTs8g0XD
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) March 9, 2026
Meanwhile, the Trans-Canada Highway near Three Valley Gap between Sicamous and Revelstoke was temporarily closed in both directions for vehicle recovery operations.
DriveBC says the highway has since reopened to single-lane alternating traffic about 15 kilometres west of Three Valley Gap, though delays are expected while traffic control remains in place.
Officials are urging drivers to check road conditions before travelling and to be prepared for rapidly changing weather and road conditions in the mountain passes.
The Coquihalla Highway remains under a yellow snowfall warning today.
