Image: DriveBC / Highway 7 between Mission and Agassiz, pointing east to show the flow of westbound traffic on Friday afternoon, Dec. 12. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Traffic alert Friday

B.C. govt. urges people not to travel in eastern Fraser Valley, citing heavy traffic on area roadways

Dec 12, 2025 | 1:56 PM

UPDATE #2, 6:15 P.M. SATURDAY: AbbyPD Sgt. Paul Walker reported in a video Saturday evening that Highway 1 westbound from No. 3 Road will be opening in a few minutes westbound from No. 3 Road for all vehicle traffic. However, Highway 1 eastbound remains closed due to water on the highway.

“We’ve all been waiting for that, we’re 50 per cent of the way there,” Sgt. Walker said in reference to Highway 1 eastbound.

UPDATE #1: As of Saturday morning, Dec. 13, at 11:30 a.m., it is taking an estimated 1 hour, 40 minutes to travel from Chilliwack to Abbotsford or vice versa.

Multiple Facebook users reported on social media yesterday that it took 4-5 hours to travel between communities in the eastern Fraser Valley that would normally take 30-45 minutes. One person reported that it took 10 hours to travel from Kamloops to Langley on Friday, while others have reported commutes of 4-5 hours between Chilliwack and Abbotsford on Friday.

As of 11:30 a.m., Highway 1 is open between Chilliwack and Hope. However, for people wishing to travel between Chilliwack and Abbotsford, Highway 1 remains closed between No. 3 Road (exit 104) and Sumas Way (exit 92) due to flooding on the roadway.

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The Ministry of Transportation and Transit issued the following statement on Friday, Dec. 12 at 4:16 p.m.:

“Drivers are advised that Highway 7 is experiencing extreme traffic congestion between Mission and Agassiz due to closures of surrounding roadways due to flooding.”

“The Ministry of Transportation and Transit is encouraging people to delay or avoid travel in this corridor whenever possible to support local residents in accessing their homes. For those who must travel, plan ahead, allow extra time and use caution. Significant delays should be expected.”

“The ministry’s electrical contractor is assessing signals and will increase timings as needed to support congestion without affecting downstream communities. Increased traffic control will be stationed at key locations to support improved efficiency through the network where there is capacity.”

“The ministry has issued multiple travel advisories for areas in the Fraser Valley where there is a continued risk of flooding.”

Original story: 

MISSION — The B.C. government is urging Fraser Valley motorists to avoid traveling on Friday if at all possible, citing long lineups on Highway 7 between Mission and Agassiz as the only route currently connecting Chilliwack and Abbotsford.

According to a statement Friday, the B.C. government says areas of the Fraser Valley remain under a travel advisory by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.

Image: DriveBC / Highway 7 (Lougheed Highway) about 3 km east of Harrison Mills at Highlands Boulevard, looking east.

As an example, Highway 1 remains closed between Sumas Way and No. 3 Road (exit 104) due to the presence of groundwater on the highway. There is no timeline for reopening. AbbyPD Sgt. Paul Walker confirmed in a video message Saturday morning, Dec. 13.

“A lot of water has receded overnight, which is an awesome thing to see,” Sgt. Walker said. “But unfortunately, we have a significant amount of water on the highway still, making it impassable for vehicles. Things are being assessed all the time now, hourly. We keep assessing to see if things can change for roads being open or closed. And that will continue to happen.”

Highway 1 between the Agassiz/Highway 9 turn-off and Hope is down to one lane of traffic in each direction.

Image: DriveBC / Hwy. 11 traffic in Abbotsford.

“If you need to travel, please be patient as there will be delays and high traffic,” the statement from the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit said, as circulated by the City of Mission. “Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this flood, and we are grateful to the first responders and everyone else who are out there working through this event.”