UPDATE: Coquihalla southbound reopened

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Travellers to the Lower Mainland were delayed this morning because of a road closure on Highway 5 near the Coquihalla Summit.

Drive B.C. reported the southbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway closed today, Dec. 23, around 9:30 a.m. because of a vehicle incident. The highway was fully reopened by 1:20 p.m.

Meanwhile, if you are expecting company from the coast, they may also be delayed. Not far from this closure, a vehicle incident in the northbound lanes of Highway 5 has reduced traffic to a single lane and Drive B.C. says traffic is already backed up.

The highway there has compact snow with slush and slippery sections. Periods of snow are expected at the Coquihalla Summit today.

As of 12:30 p.m., Highway 5 northbound south of Clearwater is now open to single lane alternating traffic. It was earlier closed in both directions due to a vehicle incident around 12:30 p.m. If you are headed to Edmonton or expecting company on that route, they will also be significantly delayed. Drivers are also dealing with compact snow and slippery sections.

For the latest information, check the Drive B.C. website.

Stay safe out there, people.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Marshall Jones at mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724. 

— This story was updated at 11:09 a.m. Dec. 23 to include an estimated reopening.

— This story was updated at 12:25 p.m. Dec. 23 to update the estimated reopening.

— This story was updated at 12:33 p.m. Dec. 23 to include another estimated reopening.

— This story was updated at 1:26 p.m., Dec. 23 when the highway reopened.