Checkpoint times along major connecting highways in British Columbia will be extended this coming weekend, including along Hwy. 5 at the old toll booth area.
BC RCMP Highway Patrol Superintendent Holly Turton said that the extensions pertain to four locations, along Hwy. 1 (Boston Bar), 3 (Manning Park), 5 (Old Toll Booth), and 99 (Lillooet), and that other checkpoint locations will most likely be established.
“While the public has been supportive of our officers at the checks, we know that more people are typically on our roads and highways on long weekends,” said Tupton.
“We would like all travellers to know that we will be increasing the number and duration of the road checks leading up to, and through this long weekend.”
It is currently unlawful to travel outside of your health region in BC for anything other than essential travel. For the Merritt area, the region includes both Northern Health and Interior Health.
Tupton said that in the first week of highway checkpoints, one person was turned back, out of 1,412 vehicle checks. In week two, 30 vehicles were turned back, out of 2,069 vehicle checks.
