Burnaby overpass hit by helicopter on truck, carrier suspended
Posted January 16, 2024 12:38 pm.
Last Updated January 16, 2024 12:42 pm.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation confirms the Gilmore overpass in Burnaby was hit by a helicopter being transported on a truck Monday afternoon.
It happened along Highway 1 in the eastbound lanes. The ministry tells CityNews police and members of the Commercial Vehicle and Enforcement Branch “immediately attended to the scene.”
The incident left “minor damage to a sign” on the overpass, with the ministry saying there was “no visible damage to the bridge.”
“The commercial vehicle was transporting a helicopter. The driver had received an oversized permit, however the height exceeded what was stated on the permit,” the ministry said in a statement.
It notes International Machine Transport Inc.’s 20-vehicle fleet has been suspended, pending an investigation.
This is just the latest highway infrastructure in the Lower Mainland to be impacted by oversized vehicles. Just last week, TSD Holdings’ fleet of vehicles was suspended after one of that company’s trucks crashed into a portion of the Massey Tunnel on Jan. 10.
In December, the B.C. government announced tougher action to reduce such incidents, with increased fines and penalties.
