Driving Squamish: Hydroplaning risks rise with wet weather on Sea to Sky Highway

The Squamish weather forecast from Environment Canada shows we are going to continue to see periods of rain today.

Tonight, we can expect it to be mainly cloudy, with a 70 % chance of showers, changing to 30% chance of showers after midnight.

Sunset will be at 8:57 p.m.

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.

DriveSmartBC offers the following information and tips on hydroplaning, which is always a risk when we have rain like today:

Hydroplaning is the situation where your tires are actually riding on top of a film of water on the asphalt. They are not in contact with the pavement and your vehicle will neither steer nor brake in this situation. To escape, lift your foot off the accelerator and coast in a straight line bleeding off speed until your tires are in contact with the road surface again.

Now steer or brake if required, and remember that it might be a good idea to proceed at reduced speed until the road conditions change for the better.

Steering before your tires regain contact with the road can result in a sudden change of direction when they do. This could cause you to collide with a vehicle beside you or running off the road altogether.

Factors Involved in Hydroplaning

Getting caught in a hydroplaning situation depends on four things; your tire's tread depth, the inflation pressure, your speed and the depth of the water on the road surface. You have complete control over three of these items. Make sure you have adequate tires and keep them inflated to the pressure on the door sticker. Slow down when it is wet.

Lastly, watch the tire tracks of the vehicle in front of you. If the tracks stay clear of water for a second or two behind the vehicle, the water is not deep and a higher speed may be tolerable. If the tracks fill in immediately, there is a lot of water on the road surface and you must slow to an appropriate speed immediately.

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:

• Scan intersections carefully and take an extra moment to look for motorcycles when you're turning left.

• Stay alert and avoid distractions that take your mind off driving or your eyes off the road.

• Allow at least three seconds of following distance when behind a motorcycle.

• 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.

• 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.

For example, today, May 20, a bear was seen along the highway at Cheakamus Crossing, according to social media reports.

Report any wildlife sightings or encounters to the Conservation Officer Service Hotline at 1.877.952.7277.

The Government of B.C. provides the following tips to help drivers avoid hitting wildlife on highways: 

• Be extra cautious at dawn, dusk, and night—these are peak animal movement times
• Follow posted speed limits and scan the ditches for movement or for the reflection of eyes from your headlights
• Slow down when you see an animal—some animals like deer freeze in panic, while moose may run along the road
• Many animals travel in groups, so if you see one, slow down until you are well past
• Obey wildlife warning signs—they’re placed in high-risk areas based on real data
• Never swerve suddenly to avoid an animal, as this can lead to a more serious collision—brake firmly and stay in your lane
• Use high beams when possible to spot animals sooner

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.

• NEW Happening now: On Highway 99, in both directions, watch for bridge maintenance planned between Garibaldi Hwy and Ocean Point Dr for 1.7 km (2 km north of West Vancouver to West Vancouver), until Wednesday, May 21. Work is on from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be alternating lane closures. Watch for traffic control.

• Happening now: On Highway 99, in both directions, there will be road sweeping between Centennial Way and Alpha Lake Rd for 46.9 km (Whistler to Squamish), until May 23., from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Watch for slow moving vehicles.

• Happening now: On Highway 99, in both directions, roadside brushing is underway at Depot Rd (Squamish), until today, (May 20) at 2:30 p.m.  The left lane is closed in both directions. Watch for traffic control.

• Starting today: On highway 99, southbound, be aware of bridge maintenance planned between Daisy Lake Rd and Alice Lake Rd (1 km north of Squamish), until  5:30 p.m. The right lane will be closed. Watch for traffic control personnel.

North of Squamish

•NEW Happening now: On Highway 99, there's utility work between E Lilloeet Rd and 1 km North of E Lillooet Rd, until Wednesday, May 21. The work is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Please watch for signage and personnel. Expect minor delays of up to five minutes.

• 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 on 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 April 1.)

In Whistler, regular gas is on offer for 159.9/L, at the Chevron at 8110 Crazy Canuck Dr. That is the cheapest in the resort.

In Pemby, gas is on offer for 161.9L, at most area stations.

According to Gas Buddy, some of the cheapest gas in the Lower Mainland is in Richmond, where regular gas is on offer for $157.9 at the Petro Canada, located at 7980 Williams Rd.