Highway 7 likely to open today east of Agassiz, no word on Chilliwack-Hope link

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The Ministry of Transportation expects to have Highway 7 open to single-lane alternating traffic for all vehicles between Hope and Agassiz later today, but there’s still no word of when the link on Highway 1 could come back online.

For now, Highway 7 has reopened for westbound commercial vehicles between Hope and Agassiz. One lane was reopened as of 10am today, according to the ministry, with the intent of allowing commercial drivers stranded in Hope access to the Lower Mainland.

Once vehicles are evacuated from Hope, Highway 7 will close again so crews can resume work. Emergency vehicles will continue to have access.

The province has not given an update on the mudslide that closed Highway 1 between Bridal Falls and Hope. DriveBC has said that assessment is still in progress, and there is no estimated time of reopening for that major route. There are no DriveBC updates expected until at least tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the connection between Agassiz and Mission is now officially open to one lane of traffic each way. Major congestion and delays are expected, as this is the only route open between the eastern Fraser Valley and the rest of the Lower Mainland.