Coquihalla Highway closed between Hope and Merritt until Saturday

The Coquihalla Highway is expected to remain closed between Hope and Merritt Friday until Saturday afternoon.

The nearly 110-kilometre stretch of the highway was shut down in both directions early Friday afternoon due to congestion and extreme winter weather.

More than 70 centimetres of snow have fallen on this section of the highway in the last 48 hours, with more expected overnight.

At around 4 p.m. the transportation ministry said the section of highway is at high risk of avalanche. It plans to conduct avalanche control Saturday morning, depending on the weather.

Crews and equipment are continuing to clear the highway in anticipation of the highway re-opening early Saturday afternoon once avalanche control has been completed.