Lower Mainlanders urged to stay home amid major snow storm
Posted December 20, 2022 10:16 am.
Last Updated December 20, 2022 10:18 am.
An advisory has been issued for the Lower Mainland urging people to avoid all non-essential travel after snow blanketed the region Tuesday.
The warning also covers parts of Vancouver Island.
“At least 25 centimetres of snow have fallen in the Greater Vancouver area and 30 centimetres on the Malahat and other areas of the Island. Environment Canada forecasts more snow during the next several hours,” the advisory reads in part.
The B.C. government says its maintenance crews “are out in full force” to deal with roads.
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“They are doing their best to make sure that the highways remain safe and reliable and that there’s adequate traction out there. But, absolutely, some very challenging conditions,” said Ashok Bhatti, Ministry of Transportation executive director for the South Coast region.
Despite this, conditions remain challenging for many vehicles, with routes covered with snow across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
“For that amount of snow to come down and with how large our infrastructure is down here — in some areas we have upwards of eight lanes in each direction that we’re trying to clear — it definitely makes it a lot more difficult. But we have been at it and continue to be at it, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure that for those that have to make the trips — essential trips — they’re going to be able to do it safely,” Bhatti told CityNews.
As crews continue to work, many people have been lashing out, claiming not enough is being done
Those wanting to ditch their cars for transit also saw some issues Tuesday. TransLink reported several issues through the morning, including on the Canada Line, saying “inclement weather” was to blame for some delays.
#SkyTrain Canada Line is experiencing northbound/southbound delays due to inclement weather. Shuttle train is operating between Bridgeport and Richmond-Brighouse and Bridgeport and YVR-Airport stn. Trains are turning back at Bridgeport Stn. ^pj
— TransLink BC (@TransLink) December 20, 2022
The transit authority is also advising against non-essential travel amid the challenging conditions.
“With heavy snow falling throughout the night and into the morning, TransLink’s snow plan for severe weather is active. We are advising customers to expect considerable delays, particularly on the bus network, and avoid travelling where possible,” TransLink said in a Tweet Tuesday morning.
#RiderAlert (1/2) With heavy snow falling throughout the night and into the morning, TransLink's snow plan for severe weather is active. We are advising customers to expect considerable delays, particularly on the bus network, and avoid travelling where possible.
— TransLink BC (@TransLink) December 20, 2022
Meanwhile, some post-secondary schools shuttered their doors Tuesday due to the weather. All Kwantlen Polytechnic University campuses, Capilano University campuses are closed for the day.
The University of British Columbia has cancelled all in-person and online exams for Tuesday, while Simon Fraser University has cancelled all classes and services until at least 2:30 p.m.
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