Dump truck hits Hwy 1 overpass in Abbotsford, B.C., causing traffic delays
Road reopened around 1 p.m. PT
Commuters faced significant delays Monday morning after a dump truck hit the No. 3 Road overpass along the Trans-Canada Highway in Abbotsford, B.C.
The Abbotsford Police Department says the driver of the truck was not injured, but is "extremely shook up."
Sgt. Paul Walker says the truck was heading eastbound along Highway 1 when its front driver side tire blew and the driver lost control, sending the vehicle into the median where it hit the overpass. The truck then burst into flames, Walker said.
The crash was reported on DriveBC shortly after 5:30 a.m. PT.
✅OPEN - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCHwy1?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCHwy1</a> westbound after earlier vehicle incident at No 3 Rd <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Abbotsford?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Abbotsford</a>. Expect major delays due to congestion. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chilliwack?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chilliwack</a>
—@DriveBCAbbotsford Fire Rescue Service Assistant Fire Chief Tom Dodd said crews extinguished the flames, but remained on scene to inspect the damage.
The overpass was closed while an assessment was completed, causing significant traffic delays. As of 12:55 p.m. PT Monday, the highway was reopened to all lanes, but DriveBC said congestion is likely and delays may ensue. According to the Transport Ministry, there was no structural damage to the overpass.
Mainroad Contracting, which handles road maintenance in the Lower Mainland, said in a statement that the damaged vehicle and cargo were being removed from the site earlier on Monday and "all spilled fluids" were being recovered and removed.
Truckers have been raising safety concerns after a string of collisions in the region in the past.
Last year, the Ministry of Transportation said it would be stepping up enforcement, particularly around the height of vehicles.
"Commercial vehicle operators are responsible for ensuring their loads are meeting the terms and conditions of the permit they have been issued," a spokesperson said Monday.
"The ministry is working with the trucking industry on new actions that can be taken, including higher fines, steeper penalties, longer suspensions and more driver education, to stop these collisions from happening."