The Kispiox Valley Road bridge is now open to 'light traffic' this evening (Feb. 6), the B.C. government says.
In an update from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, vehicles no more than 2.5 metres in length, or weigh less than eight tonnes, are allowed to cross the bridge 15 km north of Hazelton, roughly 460 km northwest of Prince George.
Dawson Road Maintenance (DRM) says vehicles are allowed to go one at a time across the bridge and no trailers are allowed.
The structure was damaged by a vehicle incident involving a snowplow on Thursday morning (Feb. 4) that cut off vehicle traffic from both sides, but pedestrians can still cross at the guidance of traffic controllers.
The province says there are no detours are available for those with larger vehicles at this time.
"The bridge has remained open to pedestrians, but people are asked to be cautious when crossing near work crews and equipment."
The update goes on to say the Kispiox Band has been provided with frequent updates from on-site ministry staff.
"The ministry is working closely with Emergency Management BC and with its partners, the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine and regional first responders, and are on standby to provide any emergency services that may be needed," it adds.
"Ministry engineers and crews are working around the clock to reopen the bridge to all traffic as quickly as possible."
In the meantime, with temperatures expected to drop near -30 C with the Arctic front coming across the north, the Kispiox Band Council (KBC) is asking residents to be prepared.
"Please check your heating energy supply (oil, diesel, propane, wood, pellets) and let the KBC admin know if you are extremely low as soon as possible, so we can try to arrange for some emergency deliveries or portable oil heaters," said KBC spokesperson Blanka Jecminkova in a Facebook post.
"I cannot promise anything, but I made calls inquiring into the emergency heating supplies. No one responded yet. We have pellets available here at the village, but extremely short of the fire wood. No propane or heating oil available at the village."
DriveBC says work is continuing to clear an alternate route for heavier traffic.
You can also go to their website for more road updates and information.
