Travellers in B.C. are warned to expect long lines at the borders and ferries, and snow on the mountain passes today.
Heavy traffic is already building at the Washington/British Columbia border crossing early Friday morning, as travellers head south for the Easter weekend. By 6 a.m. PT the line-ups heading south at the Peace Arch and Pacific Crossing were up to 70 minutes.
- The Canada Border Services Agency introduced a new tool on its web site Thursday to help travellers minimize their wait time at the Canada-U.S. border this long Easter weekend.
Traffic is also expected to be heavy on BC Ferries routes over the weekend, with one-sailing waits reported for Tsawwassen to Southern Gulf Islands sailings and Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay sailings, early Friday morning.
On the highways, DriveBC is warning there could be snow on many mountain passes. Highway 3 is expected to be closed at the Kootenay Pass Summit between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. for avalanche control on Friday morning. Up to 15 cm of snow is forecast for the Coquihalla near Merritt.
Burrard Bridge closures
In Vancouver, Burrard Street and the Burrard Bridge will be closed to motorists from 1st Ave to Pacific Boulevard on Friday and Saturday morning. The bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists.
The closures will be in effect from 3:30 a.m. until noon. The bridge will re-open in the afternoons with one lane south and two lanes northbound.
Cornwall Street between Burrard and Cypress streets will also be closed all day Friday and Saturday.