Sunday, November 19, 2017

Highway 16 Re-opened, expect delays for Avalanche control 56km west of Terrace

The highway between Prince Rupert and Terrace has been reopened to traffic,
however travellers can expect delays for avalanche control west of Terrace


Travellers can once again transit Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Terrace, after the Ministry of Transportation re-opened the roadway to traffic this morning, after having closed it overnight due to avalanche risk.

Crews have examined the site of the highest risk, located 56 kilometres west of Terrace and have given the all clear for travel, though delays will take place through the day to assist in further avalanche control and winter maintenance.

Those delays will last for 30 minutes for traffic, with the route reduced to single lane alternating travel. The avalanche control is expected to take place through to 3PM.




The background to the Saturday closure can be reviewed here.

The road closure interrupted the travel plans of Northwest residents for over 12 hours, with the Ministry making the decision to close the highway starting at 7PM last night, the first notice of reopening came shortly before 9 AM today.

The winter storm has taken its toll on the highway camera connections across the Northwest, with cameras in Terrace and at the Port Edward turn off currently not in working order.

View from Kwinitsa Sunday AM

View from Kasiks Sunday AM

Terrace Highway camera remains off line following Saturday's storm


According to Environment Canada, the Terrace/Kitimat area received 57.6 cm of snow yesterday, with an additional 43.5 mm of rain prior to and after the snowfall, something that makes for a recipe for avalanche risk in higher elevations.

More notes on past winter weather events can be reviewed here.

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