HOPE, B.C. – The tolled highway between two B.C. communities is expected to be reopened in the near future, after suffering a lengthy closure due to uncooperative weather.

The highway stretches between Hope and Merritt in B.C. and much of the traffic was rerouted along the Trans-Canada Highway.

B.C. Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon provided local media with an update on the maintenance work being done to clear the highway. An avalanche closed the Coquihalla Highway on Feb. 7, while continuing snow and ongoing avalanche threats prevented crews from clearing the debris earlier.

Avalanche technicians were able to work on the area yesterday and it’s expected the highway will be reopened before the weekend.

— with files from the Globe and Mail