The Squamish weather forecast is calling for it to be mainly sunny today.
A nice 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.
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 still in play in the alpine and further north.
Snow was reported on Duffey Lake Road this past weekend.
Below is planned road work that you should be aware of on your travels in the Sea to Sky.
Of note on local forest service roads
•Happening now until June 13: On Branch 01, which is the Brohm Ridge access to and past Cat Lake, there's closures at 1 km (before Cat Lake) and 5 km due to timber harvesting within close proximity to the FSR. Expect closures up to two hours Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
•No vehicle access past last yellow gate at the 11km marker to prevent irreparable damage to the alpine by vehicular traffic; foot access only beyond gate.
(For full forest service road access reports, go to this provincial government site.)
Squamish and south of us
• Happening tonight: If you are heading over the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing tonight (April 16) note that a lane will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to allow for bridge and sidewalk cleaning, according to Miller Capilano Highway Services.
• Happening now: on Highway 99, in both directions, watch for road sweeping between Exit 3: Horseshoe Bay Junction and Alpha Lake Rd for 92.7 km (West Vancouver to Whistler), until Thursday, April 17. The work is ongoing from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Be on alert for slow moving vehicle operations.
• 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, 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.
• Upcoming: on Highway 99, in both directions, there's avalanche control work planned between Lil'wat Pl and Seton Lake Rd for 4.0 km (40 km north of Pemberton to 41 km south of Lillooet), starting on Friday, April 18 at 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Expect up to 20 min delays.
• 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, 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, 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. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes.
Stay safe out there.
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 underway, crews are 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.
New traffic control equipment
You may encounter a new device on Squamish roads.
The District announced that it now has an Automatic Flagging Assistance Device (AFAD).
It is like a metal flagger.
"AFADs are portable, remotely operated units that help manage traffic while reducing risks for traffic controllers. Each device features red and yellow traffic lights and a gate arm with a fluorescent orange flag that moves up and down into the travel lane to guide drivers," the District said in a post on its social media channels.
The aim of using it is to improve safety and efficiency around work zones, the District says.
"These devices are permitted for use only on two-lane, two-way roads or on multi-lane roads that have been temporarily reduced to a single lane. They are commonly used in situations involving single-lane alternating traffic or short-term traffic stoppages near active work areas."
Spit Road closure
The Squamish Training Berm will be temporarily closed now until May 31, the Squamish River Watershed Society says.
"The Central Estuary Restoration Project continues as we install a fourth large fish-friendly box culvert," a social media post from the society notes.
"This feature will replace the current undersized culvert, which will improve fish access and allow freshwater to transfer into the central estuary channel from the Squamish River."
According to a District post, "access will be closed to car traffic at the Fisherman's entrance—yellow gate—with bike and pedestrian access to remain open."
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 most local stations.
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 most area stations (the Co-op and the Chevron).
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 Quesnel, at Super Save Gas, located at 914 Front St.
