B.C. public safety minister and deputy premier Mike Farnworth. (Image credit: B.C. government/flickr)

By Pete McIntyre

UPdate

UPDATE: Key section of Highway 1 reopens

Nov 25, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Highway 1 between Agassiz and Chilliwack in the Fraser Valley reopened to traffic this afternoon.

It had been closed since Nov. 14 due to flooding in the Abbotsford area.

The reopening comes after cleanup, repairs and geotechnical assessments of the highway and its structures.

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming told a news update on Thursday, the route has been deemed safe, but it will not be travel as usual, with reduced speed limits in place.

He says it will be available for general travel, but people are asked to only use it if their trip is absolutely necessary.

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The section of Highway 1 through Bridal Falls between Highway 9 and Hope was reopened on Nov. 20. That section of highway remains one lane in each direction for essential travel only, with cleanup and repairs ongoing.

In the Fraser Canyon, Highway 1 between Hope and Boothroyd, just east of Boston Bar, has been open since Nov. 21. Highway 1 remains closed from Boothroyd through to Spences Bridge and damage assessments are ongoing.

Key section of Highway 1 close to reopening
Nov 24, 2021 | 1:50 PM

Another major highway link in British Columbia is expected to reopen this week.

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming told Wednesday’s flood update, Highway 1 between Chilliwack and Abbotsford is on track to reopen on Thursday with the time still to be determined.

“We know that people in this region need to travel around, and this will provide significant relief,” Fleming said.

Crews are clearing debris off that section of road today, and the water levels continue to recede.

Further helping supply chains, Fleming said CP Rail restarted its operations Tuesday night and CN Rail expects to have its trains operating by Thursday.

“That is going to be a huge help to British Columbia and all Canadians,” the minister stated.

Also from Wednesday’s news conference, people impacted by the extreme flooding earlier this month now have access to more information to help them out.

Public safety minister Mike Farnworth said a new Service BC contact centre line has been launched.

“It’s where you can find information on things related to floods, like emergency supports, disaster financial aid, mental health supports, road conditions, travel and other supports,” said Farnworth who is also B.C.’s deputy premier.

The toll free phone number is 1-833-376-2452.

“This resource is available from 7:30 in the morning to 5 p.m., seven days a week,” Farnworth advised.

The Canadian Red Cross and the province announced Tuesday a program to further help flood evacuees with up to $2,000 in assistance

Farnworth said a series of storms are forecast over the next week with more atmospheric river events expected.

He said the extreme weather events are not normal.

“We have had almost a dozen atmospheric rivers since mid September. The ground is already saturated, meaning even a routine storm, can cause rivers and streams to rise and potentially flood.”

The deputy premier noted while there is still significant flood damage in many places, significant progress is being made in the recovery.

“Although we are up to the challenge, we are working through a monumental task,” Farnworth remarked.

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham was asked about the updated number of livestock killed by the flooding.

She said the estimates are 500 dairy cattle, thousands of poultry and about 20,000 pigs were destroyed.

“We haven’t been able to get access into barns to make those full assessments. We’re not going to have those numbers for another week, week and a half,” Popham said.

by Pete McIntyre

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