Vehicle incident snarls northbound traffic on Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt

UPDATE (11:00 a.m.): The northbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt are expected to reopen at 3:00 p.m.

EARLIER:  A vehicle incident has halted northbound traffic on the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt Monday (June 15) morning.

DriveBC first reported of the incident in the northbound lanes on Highway 5 just south of Coldwater Road, nearly nine kilometres south of Merritt, at around 8:30 a.m.

A photo posted to social media shows a plume of smoke coming from a vehicle.

Drivers travelling southbound on the stretch of Highway 5 are told to expect delays as emergency vehicles are expected in the area. An assessment is underway.

A detour is available via the Trans Canada Highway through the Fraser Canyon.