‘We didn’t think it would be this bad’: B.C. border crossings see major delays Friday
Posted April 15, 2022 11:36 am.
Last Updated April 16, 2022 2:29 pm.
It was a slow go for people headed south across the Canada-U.S. border in B.C. Friday, with hours-long waits reported at crossings to start the Easter weekend. RCMP officers eventually attended to the crossings in an effort to direct traffic.
This is the first long-weekend since COVID-19 pre-entry testing requirements were dropped by the Canadian government, opening up possibilities for many to now head across the line for a quick trip without having to worry about a costly PCR test to return. However, Canada still requires those who leave the country to wear masks in all public spaces for two weeks once they are back.
Can’t remember the last time I personally saw the idle stop lights southbound at the Peace Arch working, but it looks like plenty of folks want to spend their long weekend in the US pic.twitter.com/Kf05nIA0m2
— Peter Wagner (@peterjontheair) April 15, 2022
Some crossings between B.C. and Washington state were seeing delays approaching four hours as people headed across the line to the U.S.
Lisa, who was heading down to fill up on gas and buy some groceries, called CityNews after waiting in line for over an hour Friday morning to get to the Pacific Highway crossing.
“We’ve probably moved two car lengths. There’s the three lanes and people are blocking the intersection. I feel like they need someone here to direct traffic here a bit better, because it’s just not moving,” she said, waiting at the intersection of 176 Street and 8 Avenue.
12:39 SOUTHBOUND BORDER UPDATE:
Peace Arch – 3+ hours! (bkd north of 8th Ave)
Pacific Hwy – 3.5+ hours! (bkd to 12th Ave)
Aldergrove – 60+ minutes
Sumas – 90 minutes— CityNews Vancouver Traffic (@CityNewsTraffic) April 15, 2022
She says some drivers took it upon themselves to help get people moving.
“There was a gentleman, a truck driver, who’s hopped out of his cab a couple of times and put on his vest and directed traffic and that’s the only reason we’ve moved a couple of car lengths,” Lisa added.
Living near the border crossing, Lisa says she didn’t think the waits would be too long, given she’s a Nexus card holder. However, people are being warned that delays in getting to Nexus lines are also reported.
“We didn’t think it would be this bad, but I guess a lot of people had the same idea as us.”
Heidi was trying to get into the U.S. at the Aldergrove border Friday morning, saying she also experienced heavy delays.
She spoke to CityNews after waiting over two hours to get to the crossing.
“We were expecting a long delay, not quite this long. But it’s also really slow, so I feel like the border isn’t ready for the volume of people,” Heidi explained.
“We’ve been moving about a car length and then we wait about five minutes, and then we move again and another five minutes. So it’s very slow,” Heidi, who was hoping to join the many Canadians looking for a change of scenery for the long weekend, added.
Keith, who was headed south through the Aldergrove crossing, has also seen little traffic rule enforcement as he waited to drive into the U.S. Friday.
“I was expecting it to be busy … but I didn’t think it was going to be over two hours. Traffic is very busy, traffic on 3B Avenue trying to cut in is not helping the situation,” he told CityNews from his vehicle.
“There’s no enforcement or police anywhere in sight, from what I’ve been witnessing. Not only has traffic been cutting in from 3B Avenue, the traffic that has been patiently already waiting for the last hour to hour and a half have decided to block the intersection and only allow the people that are exiting to go north on 264th to go toward Highway 1,” Keith added.
In a statement, Surrey RCMP urged those waiting in line to “not block streets, intersections or driveways as persons in the local neighbourhoods need to access their homes.”
First long weekend since testing rules changed
As of April 1, fully vaccinated travellers have not been required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to get into Canada.
Travellers may still be selected for random testing upon arrival and are still required to use the ArriveCAN app. Travel testing measures remain unchanged for partially and non-vaccinated travellers.
While Easter marks the first long weekend since the changes took effect, this is not the first time crossings have seen an influx in travellers.
The days right after the requirement was lifted saw lengthy delays as many eager to head into the U.S. got in their vehicles and drove south.
Related articles:
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Border swamped as COVID-19 testing lifts for vaccinated Canadian travellers
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B.C. drivers head south for U.S. gas deals after COVID pre-entry test dropped
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International travelers must wear a mask for 14 days after returning home to Canada
Travellers are reminded that in addition to filling out the ArriveCAN app, international travellers are also still required to mask up in public spaces for 14 days. They are also required to maintain a list of all close contacts for the first two weeks and monitor for any signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
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