British Columbia

Rockfall, large boulders close Highway 7 west of Hope, B.C.

The fall damaged several power lines and the pavement, according to the Ministry of Transportation.

The fall damaged several power lines and the pavement, Ministry of Transportation says.

A huge rock and several smaller ones on a highway.
The rockfall took out several power lines and damaged the highway, according to the Ministry of Transportation. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation/X)

A rockfall has closed a stretch of Highway 7 in B.C.'s Fraser Valley. 

Drive B.C., the province's traveller information service, says the slide — reported Thursday evening — is located west of Hope, B.C., between the 7 Day Adventist Youth Camp Road and Ross Road. 

Photos posted to social media by the Ministry of Transportation on Friday afternoon show a power pole and lines down, along with large boulders. Shattered rocks cover both sides of the highway.

Rock fall across a two-lane highway.
The highway remained closed in both directions Friday afternoon. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation/X)

The photos show the rocks came down a steep cliff where protective netting had been installed.

The Ministry of Transportation said in its post that there is "significant damage" to pavement on the route.

It said an assessment was underway Friday and there was no estimated time of reopening for the highway.

The closure means anyone travelling east and trying to reach Hope from the north side of the Fraser River will need to instead take Highway 1 on the south side.

An aerial view of a blocked highway, built into a cliffside.
Drivers have been advised to plan alternate routes. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation/X)