The Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce has released the findings of its 2026 Highway Closure Impact on Businesses Survey, confirming that highway closures between Revelstoke and Golden during the 2025-2026 winter season had significant impacts on local businesses and strengthening the Chamber's call for changes to commercial vehicle access protocols during Rogers Pass closure events.

The survey was launched after local businesses raised concerns about delivery disruptions and commercial vehicles destined for Revelstoke being held in Malakwa during highway closure events. The Chamber conducted the survey to support discussions with government decision-makers and the BC ministry of transportation & Transit.

11 businesses that participated in the survey reported being directly impacted by highway closures, identifying a total of 37 separate business impacts. The most frequently reported challenges included delayed deliveries and shipments, lost sales or revenue, increased costs, customer dissatisfaction, cancelled deliveries, reduced inventory, and staffing challenges. Businesses from the food and beverage, retail, construction, accommodation, and arts and culture sectors all reported impacts.

"The survey findings confirm what our members have been telling us," said Caroline Lachapelle, CEO of the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce. "Businesses are experiencing real operational and financial impacts when commercial vehicles carrying goods and services destined for Revelstoke are prevented from reaching our community. While we recognize and respect the Ministry's responsibility to ensure public safety during closure events, we believe there are practical solutions that can better balance safety with the needs of local businesses."

The Chamber has been advocating for months with the ministry of transportation for a protocol that would permit commercial vehicles with deliveries or services destined for Revelstoke to continue travelling from the west during Rogers Pass closure events, where it is safe to do so. Many of these vehicles are not travelling through the corridor but are instead delivering goods within Revelstoke before returning west or remaining at designated commercial loading areas. The Chamber believes these vehicles should be distinguished from through traffic by utilizing their weigh bills that outline they are Revelstoke is their destination when traffic management decisions are being made.

To advance the conversation, the Chamber has requested a meeting with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit in early September and has invited MLA Scott McInnis and MP Mel Arnold to participate. The goal is to discuss long-term and permanent solutions that support both public safety and the reliable movement of goods and services into Revelstoke during winter highway closure events.

Survey respondents highlighted a range of business impacts, including delayed food and supply shipments, project delays, inventory shortages, increased labour costs, disrupted visitor experiences, and lost revenue resulting from customers and deliveries being unable to reach the community. Several respondents specifically questioned why commercial vehicles destined for Revelstoke were unable to proceed when they were not travelling east beyond the community. 

The Chamber will continue to use the survey findings to advocate for improvements that reduce disruptions to local businesses while respecting the safety considerations associated with winter highway operations.

The full survey findings are available on the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce website here: 
Business Retention & Expansion — Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce 

Media Inquiry Contact: 
Caroline Lachapelle, CEO | executive@revelstokechamber.com 

*Created with the support of Copilot.