This is not a time to be complacent on the road.
As school kicks back into gear and students flood onto the Sea to Sky Highway, it’s time for motorists to be extra-vigilant about some of the driving behaviours that could lead to tragedy.
Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, media spokesperson for BC Highway Patrol believes three key considerations should be top of mind during this time: slowing down, driving sober, and avoiding distractions such as cell phones and other handheld devices.
“I was on the Sea to Sky over the weekend, so I’m quite alert to the problems we have there, and speed is such an issue. Everybody thinks the rules don’t apply to them. Slowing down is one of the best things you can do to avoid these tragedies,” he told The Squamish Chief.
Over the summer, the BC Highway Patrol has noticed an uptick in the number of collisions involving not only alcohol, but a combination of alcohol and drugs. They’re reminding everyone that it’s a risk that simply isn’t worth it, and could cost someone their life.
“It’s a concerning trend,” he said.
Another issue is that pedestrians and cyclists will be suddenly appearing in areas where they haven’t been all summer, changing the driving landscape, because school has brought about a new schedule. Because of this, drivers should be extra careful in case they encounter these kids — and stay off their phones while driving.
“We’ll be seeing more pedestrians, and more cyclists, and these bikes are being operated by young people who are not the most aware. You have to give them even more room. Driving is a complex task. Focus on the road.”
Driving weather
Squamish meteorologist Jason Ross says a ridge of high pressure will rebuild over southern B.C. this week, bringing dry conditions with hot daytime temperatures that will push well above normal.
Temperatures will reach the low 30s to mid 30s over the south coast, with overnight lows near 15-18 C. Temperatures will start to cool down towards the weekend as an onshore flow increases, according to Ross.
'Never leave children or pets'
TranBC offers the following alerts about taking care of your loved ones when you stop driving for a time.
"Never leave children or pets alone, for any length of time, in a parked vehicle.
On a hot day, a stationary vehicle heats up extremely fast and permanent injuries or death could result. Look inside your car while you’re locking it, to make sure no one gets left behind. When it’s 27 C outside, the temperature in a parked vehicle can climb to 37 C in 10 minutes, 43 C in 20 minutes, and up to 50 C in an hour."
Prepare for the unexpected
Crashes happen on the Sea to Sky Highway, regardless of the weather.
Sometimes, there can be lengthy road closures of five hours or more, while a serious crash is investigated and cleared.
Be sure to carry plenty of water, snacks, a pillow, blanket, car charger, and a first aid kit.
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.
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 (FSR)
If you are headed into the Squamish Valley, be warned. The Squamish River Forest Service Road is closed at the 21-kilometre mark until further notice, due to a washout at Mud Creek.
The Ministry of Forests tells The Squamish Chief that the washout was created by a rain event on the night of Aug. 6.
The road was closed on Aug. 7. According to the government website, it remains closed today, Sept. 2.
According to the ministry, safety assessments are taking place, and plans are being made by the designated road maintainer to complete repairs.
There is no completion date known at this time.
"Advice for recreationalists is ... that the road is not currently accessible at the 21 km mark, and to please stay clear of the washout and stay safe."
Washouts at this location are not uncommon. In September of 2024, for example, it washed out twice in as many weeks.
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.
Within the District of Squamish road issues to note
Watch for excited kids
The District is reminding drivers that kids are back in school on today, Sept. 2, so be extra careful to follow rules of the road.
→ Adhere to all 30km/h school zone speed limits between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on any school day;
→ Watch for children as they make their way to and from school on foot, skateboards, scooters, and bikes;
→ Keep sidewalks and bike lanes clear for youth to travel safely.
→ Avoid parking or stopping in designated No Parking areas.
Victoria Street work
The District says there will be traffic impacts along Victoria Street from now through November.
Muni crews are constructing new protected bike lanes along Victoria Street to expand important bike lane connections through downtown.
This phase of bike lane improvements will link Third Avenue to the new Pedestrian Bridge at Loggers Lane.
As Third Avenue continues to develop, this street is envisioned as an important connector for cyclists entering/exiting Downtown.
Drivers should expect the following:
Work will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Elevated noise levels in the vicinity of the work area.
Short-term traffic disruptions due to construction activities and vehicles
This work is weather dependent. All efforts are being made to minimize impacts to the area.
Localized road closures along Victoria Street may be required.
"This project will improve safety for all users at intersections by improving sightlines, reducing crossing distances and enhancing accessibility design features," the District said in a post.
X̱wún̓eḵw Park closure notice
The District says that X̱wún̓eḵw Park on the Mamquam Blind Channel downtown will remain closed for sea dike and flood protection upgrades until summer 2026.
Impacts will include:
Short-term traffic disruptions on Loggers Lane.
Closure of the park, including the water access, watercraft storage facility and Main Street parking area.
Alternative public water access is available at Sp'akw'us Feather Park.
Construction noise and vibration due to construction activities including pile driving and ground densification work.
"This work is an integral part of the ongoing dike upgrade program identified in the District's Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan (IFHMP). The District has been in contact with user groups of the Squamish Paddling Club Storage. The X̱wún̓eḵw Canoe Shelter will still be accessible," reads the muni's social media post.
Traffic events & roadwork alerts
Check out our map below, full of DriveBC events happening along Highway 99.
Click on any of the pins to see more information about each event.
GranFondo road impacts, Sept. 6
About 5,000 cyclists are expected to be rolling up the Sea to Sky Highway on Saturday, Sept. 6 as part of the RBC GranFondo Whistler, which sees participants ride from Vancouver to Whistler.
"Motorists can expect possible delays between West Vancouver and Whistler between 5:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., race organizers warn.
Here's the impacts that will affect Squamish drivers most:
Sea to Sky Highway
- Highway 99 at Porteau Cove Provincial Park—Counterflow traffic adjacent to cyclists in effect, with one lane northbound and one lane southbound available for motorists, leading to single-lane alternating traffic for 1.3 km, from 7:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Highway 99 at Furry Creek–Local Furry Creek traffic will be re-routed via internal roads to access Highway 99 northbound and southbound, from 7:15 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
- Highway 99 at Britannia Beach—Single-lane alternating traffic will be in effect for 1 km.
Squamish
- Highway 99—Murrin Lake Park to Squamish—Traffic signals along this section will be flashing, with traffic control persons on site.
- Highway 99 at Cleveland Avenue and Loggers Lane—Traffic signals will be flashing. No traffic access to Loggers Lane from Highway 99 at Cleveland Avenue or Industrial Way. Motorists are advised to use Centennial Way underpass to Loggers Lane, from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.
- Highway 99–Valley Drive to Depot Road/Squamish—Traffic signals will be flashing and traffic movements both to and from the east side of Highway 99, will be restricted and/or closed. Garibaldi Highlands traffic impacts include Scott Crescent NB (North of Clark Drive), Mamquam Road WB (West of Diamond Head Road), Garibaldi Way WB (West of Tantalus Rd), and Depot Road WB (East of Hwy 99). For all of the locations mentioned, motorists are advised of the following times:
- 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Intermittent delays
- 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Full closure of specific intersections on the east side of Highway 99**
- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Intermittent delays
- Highway 99—Alice Lake Road to Function Junction (6 km south of Whistler) – Motorists should expect counterflow traffic adjacent to cyclists, through this area. Cyclists will occupy the northbound slow lane. One lane northbound and one lane southbound available for motorists. Counterflow is in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..
**Excluding Clarke Drive for hospital access. Detour options: use Clarke Drive for Valley Drive intersection, Centennial Way instead of Logger’s Lane and Finch Drive intersections, Dowad Drive for Garibaldi Highlands access—U-turn at Depot Road for southbound highway.
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 for at least part of the popular route.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit told 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 started on July 3, and runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The anticipated end of construction will be Sept. 12.
"The construction speed zone during construction periods will be a maximum of 50 km/hr and will remain that posted speed until the roadway has been cleaned of loose rock and debris. The zone will be single lane alternating traffic that is controlled using a pilot car," reads a letter sent by Northwest Sealcoating Company and posted to the SLRD website.
If you take the bus
BC Transit has announced that starting on Sept. 1, BC Bus Pass fares are now enabled for tap validation in transit systems that operate Umo digital payments, such as in Squamish.
Riders using a BC Bus Pass can now tap their pass to the digital validator when they board the bus, instead of displaying their pass to the transit driver for visual validation.
"The modernization of the BC Bus Pass validation process aims to create a universal rider experience, matching other BC Transit fixed-route fare products and aligns with BC Bus Pass holders that travel on TransLink services," reads a BC Transit news release.
"Ridership data captured through the new validation process will help BC Transit better deliver transit services with an improved understanding of BC Bus Pass usage."
