True, winter hazards such as black ice and blinding flurries don’t care whether you’re a rookie trucker or a seasoned veteran. They still hit, hit hard, and often without warning. But there are smart winter driving techniques that come naturally with notching more and more hours on the road. That’s why we put the...
Most people watch our webcams, to scope out the weather, driving and traffic conditions. But you might spot scenes of nature, beauty and movement. Webcams are versatile like that. Our most northerly webcam on Highway 37, at the border of B.C. and the Yukon, captures some cool views. It was installed last year, at...
Weather in B.C. can change rapidly, especially in winter. Just take a look at the Coquihalla Highway, where drivers can experience a wide range of weather systems from bottom to top of the mountain pass. And in milder parts of the province, temperatures often hover around freezing, threatening icy conditions. There’s been a lot...
With heavy snowfall warnings throughout the province, including the Coquihalla and Fraser Canyon highways, it’s a good thing we already had Highway Thru Hell’s Jamie Davis and Mark Miller visit us this past fall during our initial “shift into winter.” They now undoubtedly have their hands (and tow cables) full helping snowbound travellers, all...
Since when do snow, sleet, ice and SPICE go together? Just since October, when the Solid Precipitation InterComparison Experiment (SPICE) began at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Coquihalla summit weather station. This international study is using leading-edge technology to find the best ways to measure what’s known to scientific and weather types as...
The majestic moose is the second largest animal in B.C. and ranges through most of the province, with the exception of coastal areas and southern B.C.’s dry valleys. But it’s a regal beast you don’t want to get too close to. That’s why you’ll see moose warning signs posted by the Ministry of Transportation...
Building new bridges and opening new roads can be a great highlight of the work we do here at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, but maintaining the highways that connect our province is our bread and butter. With over 40,000 kilometres of highways to maintain, on some of the most challenging terrain in...
Wikipedia defines “pet peeve” as: a minor annoyance that an individual identifies as particularly annoying to them, to a greater degree than others may find it. Wouldn’t it be great if we all understood what ticked each other off on the road – especially during winter when the elements are already stacked against us?...
We’ve been focusing a lot lately on preparing for winter driving, and an important part of that is making sure you and your car are equipped in case of an emergency. There are many lists out there with recommendations on what you can pack (see below for a few resources to get some good...
Winter changes the way we do a lot of things on B.C. Highways. Our driving methods change, our vehicles are equipped differently, and our maintenance contractors exchange spring sweepers for snow plows. We’ve covered many Shift into Winter topics through video, photos and, of course, blogs. And some blog ideas have come from discussions...
