Highway 99 finally reopens after landslide Saturday

—Replace Sunday at 7 a.m.—

After crews labored by means of the night time, the Lions Bay landslide on the Brunswick Highway exit ramp has been cleared and the Sea to Sky Freeway is open once more in each instructions.

DriveBC introduced on X at roughly 6:30 a.m. that the bushes, mud and particles that got here down in a landslide Saturday morning at Brunswick Seaside was now cleared and visitors may journey in each instructions. 

The Resort Municipality of Whistler and the District of Squamish each famous the trouble it took to clear the freeway. 

“Thanks to the crews who labored in a single day to clear the particles,” stated each municipalities in social media posts early Sunday.

Like many of us, Squamish Chief reporter Indigo-Lemay Conway was caught in a single day on the North Vancouver facet of the slide, however travelled by means of simply earlier than 7 a.m. Sunday.

“Freeway is already filled with individuals attempting to get to and from Van[couver],” she stated in a textual content, noting that it was clean crusing by means of the realm, however development autos stay on the perimeters of the freeway within the space of the slide. 

—Remaining Saturday replace—

DriveBC says it’s estimated that Freeway 99 will reopen at 9 a.m. on Sunday after the landslide at Lions Bay is cleaned up.

The landslide cleanup is in progress at Brunswick Seaside, with the freeway remaining closed in a single day, says a DriveBC submit to X at 9:13 p.m. 

—Up to date at 8:30 p.m.—

The Sea to Sky Freeway is just not anticipated to be reopened for a minimum of 24 hours, after a landslide at Lions Bay closed it in each instructions this morning, in keeping with Cpl. James Grandy, of the RCMP.

Freeway upkeep contractors are at present finishing a technical evaluation together with Ministry of Transportation.

“Emergency crews are actively attempting to substantiate property harm and if anybody was injured. Right now, nobody has been reported as being injured,” he stated, in a information launch.

There are not any detours obtainable for these south of the landslide at the moment; nonetheless, these in Whistler and Pemberton who have to journey to the Decrease Mainland, might take another route north on Freeway 99.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler, nonetheless, notes that it’s nonetheless finest to stay in Whistler, if there now, somewhat than likelihood the alternate route.

RCMP officers from Squamish, North Vancouver and BC Freeway Patrol, with assist from West Vancouver Police, are all concerned with this incident.
 
Motorists are inspired to test DriveBC for additional updates on when the freeway could also be reopened.

—Up to date at 7:36 p.m.—

The District of Squamish has informed these trapped on the town by the landslide at Lions Bay that the freeway will seemingly be closed all night time. 

“Freeway 99 is anticipated to stay closed in each instructions at Lions Bay in a single day. Anybody north of this space is requested to not take the freeway south. People in Squamish who’re impacted by the closure, please search lodging or help from family and friends if potential,” reads a District submit on social media.

—Up to date at 6:25 p.m.—​

North Shore Emergency Administration has introduced {that a} reception centre is open for these who’re caught on that facet of the Lions Bay landslide, unable to make it house. 

The Lions Gate Group and Recreation Centre at 1733 Lions Gate Lane in North Vancouver is open.  

The Resort Municipality of Whistler posted to its social media advising people to not head south. 

“Anybody in Whistler is requested to not take the freeway south. Those that are in a position, please discover lodging by reserving a resort room or accessing family and friends,” the RMOW submit reads.

“Individuals are requested to not try to sleep of their autos. A reception centre is being organized for individuals who haven’t been in a position to entry lodging by means of family and friends or a resort. That is for individuals who haven’t any different choice.”

The reception centre location in Whistler can be launched by 8 p.m.

—Up to date at 4:15 p.m.—​

Freeway 99 stays closed in each instructions close to Lions Bay resulting from a landslide.

In accordance with a DriveBC replace on X,  crews needed to carry out a geotechnical and structural evaluation earlier than cleansing up the particles.

“Cleanup now underway. RCMP have arrange a checkpoint in Squamish. There isn’t a estimated time of reopening. In case you are leaving Whistler proper now, you’ll not get by means of,” reads the replace.

The District of Squamish additionally despatched out an automatic alert concerning the landslide urging individuals to not try to go southbound on the freeway.

“Map functions (e.g. Google Maps) are displaying rerouting choices by way of Mamquam Forest Service Highway. This isn’t an alternate route—please don’t take this alternate route,” the alert reads.  ​ ​

—Authentic story—

Freeway 99 is closed in each instructions close to Lions Bay resulting from a landslide, in keeping with Drive BC.

“Landslide between Lions Bay Ave and Brunswick Seaside Rd (Lions Bay). Highway closed. Evaluation in progress. Tree on highway. Particles on roadway. Anticipate delays,” reads a submit on drivebc.ca.

The subsequent replace is anticipated at 3 p.m., however in keeping with the Squamish RCMP, the highway won’t be reopened till about midnight tonight.

“The freeway has been closed in each instructions, and isn’t anticipated to be reopened till midnight. There are not any detours obtainable at the moment,” stated Cpl. James Grandy with the RCMP.

“Emergency crews are actively attempting to substantiate property harm and if anybody was injured. Right now, nobody has been reported as being injured. Motorists are inspired to test DriveBC for additional updates on when the freeway could also be reopened.”

Posts on the Sea to Sky Highway Circumstances Fb web page present the extent of the harm.

An nameless poster claiming to characterize Miller Capilano Upkeep Corp requested motorists to show round if potential.

“That is gonna take loads of sources to wash up,” the submit learn. “Whether it is protected to take action please flip round and head again the route you got here. In any other case, we won’t be able to get tools and personnel to the positioning. We’re sending employees to arrange roadblocks, however if you’re caught on the website flip round please.”

Verify again with Pique for extra as this story develops. Discover the newest highway updates at drivebc.ca.