BC truckers warn East 1st Avenue closures could eventually cost consumers
Posted July 3, 2018 12:09 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Road closures between Nanaimo Street and Clark Drive in Vancouver may be giving drivers a headache, but as it turns out, it’s also increasing costs for truck drivers.
According to the BC Trucking Association, gas-line work on East 1st Avenue could end up costing consumers.
“Any time that the supply chain slows down because of congestion or road work, costs increase,” says Dave Earle with the association, adding that could trickle down to the consumer sooner or later.
“A little bit here and a little bit there and you walk out of the grocery store wondering ‘what the heck happened?’ and that’s because everything you purchased is another half a penny or a penny more.”
Earle says the association understands the work is necessary but he admits it comes with some consequences.
“There are only certain truck routes that large vehicles are permitted to use in the city of Vancouver and with First Avenue being closed our members are certainly finding it difficult to find alternate routes.”
The association raised its concerns with Fortis BC who is doing the work, but Earle says there wasn’t much else they could do.
“We only hope that the work is done safely and quickly,” he says.
Closures will be in place until the end of August.
