The Minister of Transportation and Agriculture of British Columbia said on Saturday that all-weather efforts to restore British Columbia's main transportation and food supply lifeline have begun to bear fruit.
Highway 99 reopened around noon Pacific time. There are two lanes north of Pemberton and limited to small vehicles. Authorities still require motorists to drive only for necessary reasons, such as returning to their main home address.
"This will provide a second link from the Lower Mainland to the north, through Pemberton and Lillooet," BC Transport and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming said at a press conference on Saturday morning. "Due to the terrain, it is designed for small vehicles-no vehicles larger than cube trucks are allowed on the highway."
According to a news released by the provincial government on Saturday, “checkpoints will be set up and travel restrictions will be implemented” and only vehicles weighing less than 14.5 tons will be allowed to pass. The press release stated that heavier trucks should take Highway 3, which was reopened on Friday.
Fleming said of Highway 3, “I emphasize again that keeping this corridor open is vital to British Columbians who are short of goods.” An exhausting pace. "
On Vancouver Island, the Malahat Highway was reopened on Friday after being flooded last week, allowing traffic in both directions.
Late Saturday, the province said that Highway 1 was reopened, with only one lane in each direction between Hope and Highway 9 east of Chilliwack.
A press release stated: “Although this section of Highway 1 through Bridal Falls and Popkum is not part of the province’s travel restriction order, drivers are required to restrict travel to necessary purposes only while cleaning and repairs continue. ."
Last Sunday, after a massive and devastating rainstorm, a major mudslide drove vehicles off the road and Highway 99 was cut off.
The mudslide near Lillooet killed at least four people. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed on Saturday that they found the remains of three men near the scene. The RCMP said there was one missing.
Fleming said: "The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed the deaths of other people in the slide incident. This is very sad and tragic news for the whole province." "At this moment, our hearts are with their loved ones."
When asked about Friday’s new provincial basic travel restrictions on affected routes — the rule also restricts motorists from filling up to 30 liters of fuel each time before December 1 — Fleming said the province will still Travel is restricted to "basic" purposes, such as commercial deliveries, securing stranded passengers and evacuees, and performing restoration work.
Fleming said: "We want people to travel for the basic purpose of reconnecting to their main address."
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Although many grocery stores have empty shelves in various areas of British Columbia, including those far from flooding, the provincial agriculture minister Lana Popham said that there is no food shortage at the moment—it’s just that “key points in the supply chain” are gradually recovering. New supply.
According to reports, the Sumas Grassland in Abbotsford was flooded due to rising cold water and depleted feed, and thousands of livestock died. Volunteers and farmers spent most of the week trying to rescue as many animals as possible from the flood.
Some grocery stores place restrictions on the milk, eggs, and meat that shoppers can buy.
Popham said milk extraction has resumed in parts of Fraser Valley, and the wildfire service in BC airdropped 4 tons of pig feed to affected pig farms on the last day, she said.
She said that thanks to the relief provided by Alberta, Saskatchewan and Washington State, the province has already received about "five to six days" of livestock feed for farms in the area.
"I think everyone understands that it's all on deck," Popham told reporters on Saturday. "These shelves will be replenished. We have no food shortage. We hope to see this level in the next period of time.
"To the farmers who are not sleeping now and are going through extremely difficult and emotional times, thank you for all your efforts. Our hearts are with you."
At the same time, after the Minister of Public Safety announced a limit of 30 liters on Friday night, many gas stations in the Lower Mainland have appeared. But Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said on Saturday that the move was only “temporary” until December 1 to ensure that there are sufficient resources for basic purposes and the supply chain.
On Friday night, after British Columbia officials announced that areas affected by heavy rain and destructive flooding in the province imposed fuel restrictions on non-essential travelers, people saw long lines of vehicles winding out of gas stations.
Previously, supply lines including major highways and railways were washed or flooded by record rainfall that began last weekend.
Farnworth stated that the police will not execute the provincial order and pointed out that the government relies on residents to “do the right thing” until the order is lifted.
He pointed out that even before he announced the new restrictions, there was already a long queue.
"We have seen the formation of natural gas pipelines for several days," Farnworth said. "We have enough gasoline for all those who need it.
"For these 10 days, we must all do our part."
David P. Ball is a CBC News reporter in Vancouver. Send story tips or ideas to david.ball@cbc.ca, or find him on Twitter @davidpball.
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