Great Northern Way reopens after crane issue in Vancouver

An issue with a construction crane blocked traffic on Great Northern Way between Clark Drive and Glen Drive Thursday.

By Charles Brockman

Posted September 26, 2024 11:39 am.

Last Updated September 27, 2024 6:35 am.

Great Northern Way between Clark Drive and Glen Drive in Vancouver has reopened after the road was closed due to an issue with a construction crane in the area.

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According to workers, a crane dropped a load on Thursday while carrying over a building under construction.

Crews on site tell CityNews it happened just before 10:30 a.m. A piece of sheer wall reportedly fell when the crane malfunctioned, causing the wood to smack into the building twice.  

With wind, the piece could free fall and crews say that means the crane could topple over.

A crane over a building under construction
A construction crane incident is seen along Great Northern Way in Vancouve
A construction crane incident is seen along Great Northern Way in Vancouve
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Police and others have cleared the perimeter and evacuated staff and animals from the nearby BC SPCA. The construction worksite was also cleared.

WorkSafeBC tells CityNews it’s aware of the incident and its prevention officers are on site.

Officials originally stopped all traffic and service to the VCC-Clark SkyTrain Station as a precaution.

In an update around 1:50 p.m. Thursday, TransLink said the service to the station was resuming, but later confirmed it had been suspended again due to an “unstable crane.”

Around midnight, TransLink confirmed access and service to VCC would resume for Friday morning’s commute.

Just before 6:30 a.m. Friday, Great Northern Way reopened to traffic in both ways.

Listen live to 1130 NewsRadio Vancouver every 10 minutes on the ones for traffic updates. You can also follow us on X @NewsRadioVAN and subscribe to Traffic Alerts as they happen, sent directly to your inbox.

—With files from Adrienne South

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