Highway 1, Coquihalla closed near Hope due to separate landslides | The Canadian News

Separate mudslides and rocks forced the closure of two main routes in and out of the Lower Mainland on Sunday.

The Coquihalla Highway was closed in both directions, about five miles south of Great Bear Snowshed, after mud cascaded over the route.

Meanwhile, Highway 1 was closed about six miles north of Yale due to a rockslide.

The slides came amid a major downpour in the area, and Environment Canada warned of dangerous road conditions.

DriveBC issued an additional advisory for the section of Highway 1 between Lytton and Spences Bridge warning of heavy rain.

“The closure may result due to the risk of sudden debris flows in the areas affected by the fire,” he said. “Motorists are advised to exercise caution when traveling and to consider alternative routes.”

In Coquihalla, the national meteorological agency has forecast between 60 and 90 millimeters of rain for the route, and has warned of the possibility of wet snow near the Coquihalla Summit on Sunday afternoon.

Melting snow combined with heavy rain “can lead to difficult driving conditions due to accumulation of water on the roads and reduced visibility,” he said.

Crews were on site evaluating both slides, but DriveBC said there was no estimated reopening time.

Drivers heading inland are advised to take Highway 3 as an alternate route, but should expect congestion.