The Squamish weather forecast from Environment Canada says it will be cloudy, with a 60% chance of showers late this morning and this afternoon.
The wind will be coming from the south at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 near noon.
Tonight will see showers.
The weather often changes along the Sea to Sky Highway; drivers are warned it is a mountain pass, after all.
ICBC offers the following advice for drivers:
Maintain a safe following distance. In good weather, stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you or three seconds on a highway. In bad weather [like rain], increase your following distance to four seconds.
It is important to note as we head into the Victoria Day long weekend, that, on average, 403 people are injured in 1,398 crashes in the Lower Mainland over the three days every year.
The Squamish Chief sat down with a BC Highway Patrol officer, who gave insights on the dangerous driving habits she encounters on the Sea to Sky Highway.
And with the May long weekend coming up, paramedics and road safety experts are urging drivers to follow the rules of the road.
Motorcycle Awareness
May is Motorcycle Awareness Month.
According to RoadSafeBC, half of all motorcycle crashes in B.C. (2019–2023) happened at intersections.
Here are some ICBC tips for drivers who are sure to encounter multiple motorcycles on the Sea to Sky:
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Scan intersections carefully and take an extra moment to look for motorcycles when you're turning left.
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Stay alert and avoid distractions that take your mind off driving or your eyes off the road.
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Allow at least three seconds of following distance when behind a motorcycle.
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Give as much space as possible when passing a motorcycle. Maintain a distance of at least 1 metre in areas with a maximum speed limit of 50 km and at least 1.5 metres in areas with speed limits above 50 km.
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Be ready to yield as a motorcycle is often closer than it seems. Remember it can be hard to tell how fast they're travelling.
Duffey news
If you drive The Duffey (Duffey Lake Road—Highway 99 to non-locals), you have likely wondered if the dang road is set to be repaved anytime soon.
Well, we have the answer.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit tells The Squamish Chief that there are plans to complete 15 km of hard surfacing on Highway 99 between Cayoosh Bridge and Boulder Creek Bridges, 10 to 25 km west of Lillooet.
This work will occur this year at a time yet to be determined.
So, that is something!
Now onto other things to know if you are driving in the Sea to Sky today.
Watch for wildlife
Watch for wildlife as deer, coyotes and bears have recently been seen along or on the highway in our region.
Report any wildlife sightings or encounters to the Conservation Officer Service Hotline at 1.877.952.7277.
Forest service roads
For full forest service road access reports, go to this provincial government site.
If you are new to driving FSRs, check out this handy guide.
Squamish and south of us
According to DriveBC.
•Happening today: On Highway 99, in both directions, watch for bridge maintenance planned between Brunswick Beach Rd and Porteau Cove Rd for 0.5 km (3 km north of Lions Bay). The work will be complete at 5:30 p.m. Watch for traffic control personnel. Crews will be washing the Loggers Creek and Deeks Creek Bridges. Traffic will be diverted onto the shoulder.
• Happening today: On Highway 99, southbound, expect to encounter roadside brushing between Mamquam Rd and Centennial Way for 0.9 km (Squamish). The work will continue until 3:30 p.m. today, May 15. The left lane is blocked. Watch for traffic control.
• Happening now: On Highway 99, northbound, construction work is underway between Scott Cres and Cleveland Ave (Squamish), lasting until May 16 at 5:30 p.m. The work will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The right turn lane will be closed. The shoulder will be closed. Work to end by 12 p.m. on Friday.
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 is 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.
• Happening now: On Highway 99, in both directions, there is rock slope stabilization work underway between Lil'wat Pl and Seton Lake Rd for 0.6 km (15 km south of Lillooet). The work begins at 7 a.m. and runs to 5 p.m. The last day will be Saturday, June 21. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. The work is 1km north of the Cottonwood Rec Site. The work involves rock scaling and slope mesh installation.
• Happening soon: On Highway 99, northbound, utility work is planned between Spring Creek Dr and Alta Lake Rd for 1.6 km (Whistler). Starting Monday May 26 at 9:00 a.m. until Friday, May 30 at 3 p.m. From 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. BC Hydro equipment inspection and pole replacement. Watch for crews working.
• Happening soon: On Highway 99, in both directions, utility work planned between Lorimer Rd and Nancy Greene Dr for 0.6 km (Whistler), starting on Monday, May 26 at 9 a.m. until Friday, May 30 at 3 p.m., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Work includes a BC Hydro equipment inspection and pole replacement. Watch for crews working.
Stay safe out there.
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 is 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 in town is going for 159.9 cents per litre at most area 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 161.9/L, at the Co-op, 2101 Lake Placid Rd.
In Pemby, the cheapest gas is on offer for 173.9L, at AC Gas, located at 7432 Prospect St.
According to Gas Buddy, the cheapest gas in B.C. can be found in Cranbrook, at Petro Canada, located at 404 Cranbrook St N, where regular fuel is going for 125.9/L.
