Highway issues to note
The Squamish weather forecast is calling for it to be mainly sunny again today!
The wind will be light, except blowing from the north 30 km/h over southern sections early this morning. The wind will be blowing from the south 20 km/h early this afternoon.
A beauty of a day to be on the highway.
However, BC Highway Patrol recently found a lot of drivers using their cell phones while driving the Sea to Sky Highway—don't do that.
Others weren't wearing their seat belt properly or their kids weren't secured properly.
Weekends are often when we see crashes and then long road closures. Thus, be sure to have water, snacks, and an emergency kit on hand if you are hitting the road.
Also, watch for wildlife as deer and bears have been seen along the highway in our region in the last few days.
Further, while it is feeling very spring-like close to the Lower Mainland, winter conditions are in play further north.
Snow has been reported on Duffey Lake Road this weekend.
Below is planned road work that you should be aware of on your travels in the Sea to Sky.
(For forest service road access reports, go to this provincial government site.)
Stay safe out there.
Squamish and south of us
•Happening now: on Highway 99, northbound, electrical maintenance is underway between Scott Cres and Cleveland Ave (Squamish), until Friday, May 2. The right turn lane will be closed. The shoulder will be closed.
•On April 27: Runner alert: On Highway 99, in both directions, the Vancouver Sun Run will impact traffic—including a lane closure—between W Pender St and Lions Gate Bridge for 3.3 km (West Vancouver to Vancouver), from Sunday, April 27 at 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Expect delays due to congestion. Go to VancouverSunRun.com for additional information.
•Starting May 2: On Highway 99, northbound, construction work is planned between Scott Cres and Cleveland Ave (Squamish), lasting until May 16 at 5:30 p.m. The work will last from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. The right turn lane will be closed. The shoulder will be closed. Work to end by 12 p.m. on Fridays.
A pedestrian detour will be available.
North of Squamish
•Happening now: on Highway 99, westbound, watch for utility work between Cayoosh Park Rd and Ainsworth Rd 1 km south of Lillooet, until Monday, April 14. The work is set to be underway from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes. Please watch for signage and personnel.
•Happening now: on Highway 99, in both directions, construction work is scheduled between Park St and Portage Rd for 0.5 km (Pemberton), until Saturday, Aug 30. Work will be underway from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The right turn lane off Hwy 99 and the left turn lane onto Hwy 99 from existing access road are affected. There's construction access and heavy truck access.
•Happening now: on Highway 99, utility work is underway between Fountain Valley Rd and Sallus Creek Rd for 8.6 km (10 to 18 km north of Lillooet), until Thursday, April 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes. Please watch for signage and personnel.
•Happening now: on Highway 99, in both directions, be on alert for road sweeping between Seton Lake Rd and Pavilion-Clinton Rd for 34.4 km (Lillooet), until Fri May 2 at 3 p.m. The work is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Single lane alternating traffic will be in place. Watch for traffic control. Watch for slow moving vehicles and sweeper working.
•Happening now: on Highway 99, expect utility work between Sallus Creek Rd and Pavilion-Clinton Rd for 10.8 km (29 to 18 km north of Lillooet), until Thursday, April 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. There will be single lane alternating traffic in effect. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes. Please watch for signage and personnel.
•Happening now: on Highway 99, utility work is underway between Bryson Pit Rd and Smith Rd for 0.1 km (37 km north of Lillooet), until Thursday, April 17. The work will occur from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes.
See more at DriveBC.
FortisBC pipeline work
The District says that FortisBC has begun preparing a temporary construction laydown yard northeast of Valleycliffe.
This is work for the Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project
Crews are clearing vegetation and trees at the temporary construction laydown yard.
Clearing work is on from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays.
There may be minor traffic delays on the nearby forest service roads to allow large trucks.
Also starting this week, crews will start heli-logging in the Ray Basin area.
- Clearing will generally occur from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, the company says.
- For safety, minor traffic delays on the Mamquam Forest Service Road may occur and the area will be monitored by traffic control personnel.
Further, FortisBC crews have returned to Industrial Way and Finch Drive for approximately one week to carry out additional pre-construction activities.
This is to help further identify the locations of existing underground utilities, the company says.
Construction of the new gas pipeline is tentatively planned to begin later in 2025.
Work will take place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and if required, on Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
During this work, single lane closures will be in place on Industrial Way and single lane alternating traffic will be in place east of Loggers Lane on Finch Drive.
"Access will be maintained to residences and businesses. We recognize the disruption that this may cause, and we will make efforts to reduce traffic impacts to the extent possible," Fortis says.
For more information, click here.
Gas prices
The removal of the carbon tax has had an impact on local gas prices.
In Squamish today, regular gas is going for 161.9 cents per litre at a couple of local stations (Co-op and Chevron).
Before the carbon tax was removed, gas in town was at about 178.9/L.
(The B.C. government cancelled the carbon tax by introducing legislation to drop the rate to $0, effective Tuesday, April 1.)
In Whistler, regular gas is on offer for 162.9/L, at the Chevron at 8110 Crazy Canuck Dr.
In Pemberton, gas is 162.9/L at most local stations.
Some of the cheapest gas in B.C., at 131.9/L, can be found in Salmon Arm at the Super Save Gas, located at 50 3rd St NW.
