Alex Fraser, Port Mann bridges fully open
Posted December 23, 2022 10:20 am.
Last Updated December 24, 2022 7:30 pm.
After being closed on Friday due to the risk of falling snow and ice, the Alex Fraser and Port Mann bridges have been reopened.
DriveBC announced the reopening of the Alex Fraser just after 6 a.m. Saturday
#BCHwy91 #AlexFraserBridge is now fully OPEN in both directions. Expect slushy and slippery conditions and delays due to congestion. #RichmondBC #DeltaBC #NewWestminster
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) December 24, 2022
The Port Mann bridge fully reopened at around 5 p.m. on Saturday after it partially opened at 1 p.m.
CLEAR – #PortMannBridge is FULLY OPEN in both directions after a previous closure. Expect delays due to congestion. #Coquitlam #SurreyBC #BCHwy1 #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/k9e4hA7IFI
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) December 25, 2022
‘Sheet of ice’
Corp. Alexa Hodgins with the Coquitlam RCMP says contractors and road maintenance crews contacted Mounties Friday to announce the closure of the Port Mann, citing “treacherous and extreme weather conditions.”
“In this current stretch of road, there is ice as well as snow build-up, which is causing slippery and hazardous conditions for drivers as they make their way across the bridge,” she told CityNews.
“It’s more the actual roadway is a sheet of ice right now and it’s unpassable. Vehicles are getting stuck, as well they’re slipping and sliding so the decision has been made to close the bridge as well as portions of Highway 1.”
Hodgins says falling ice, which creates the risk of “ice bombs,” has been a concern in the past.
“Due to the freezing rain in the forecast and that’s also falling in some parts of the Lower Mainland, that was a consideration that was put in place to ensure the safety of drivers is maintained,” she added.
The region has been walloped by three storms over the span of about a week, with the latest bringing snow overnight into Friday, turning to freezing rain through the morning. Videos from the area show traffic moving slowly due to the road conditions, with crews working to clear snow build up.
The closures comes just a day after the province urged people to avoid non-essential travel due to the weather.
CLOSED – The #AlexFraserBridge is closed due to winter conditions. Follow detour routes and we’ll update when reopened. #BCHwy91 #DeltaBC #RichmondBC #NewWest @TranBC
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) December 23, 2022
“The freezing rain is such a concern, in fact, that my ministry is strongly advising against any form of travel from tonight through Saturday,” Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said Thursday.
He noted that freezing rain had the potential to “have a very significant impact on road conditions.”
“In the interest of safety, we may close highways if necessary with short notice,” Fleming added.
As of 10:30 a.m., the Pattullo Bridge remained open. That, as well as the Massey Tunnel, remain the only alternate routes available for the time being.
Bridges to and from the North Shore meanwhile are also still open, though DriveBC says the middle lane of the Lions Gate has been closed “due to an abundance of caution.”
#IronWorkersBridge #LionsGateBridge – As of current conditions, #NorthShore bridges will remain OPEN. However, due to an abundance of caution, the centre lane of the #LionsGateBridge will be closed.#BCHwy1 #BCHwy99 #Vancouver #WestVan #NorthVancouver #BCStorm
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) December 23, 2022
Stay with CityNews 1130 for the latest on road conditions and weather updates every 10 minutes on the ones.
