B.C. Ferries resume sailings after winter storm in Metro Vancouver
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2020 01:59:01 +0000
Several ferry sailings have resumed after a winter storm whipped across Metro Vancouver early Friday.
The sailings to the southern Gulf Islands, service between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay, between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay have resumed as of early Friday evening. Check the B.C. Ferries site, and also note a wind warning is still in effect for Saturday, which may affect service.
A wide range of snowfall accumulations for the South Coast today – trace to 20 cm! 🌨️#BCStorm pic.twitter.com/3AM7mVxzkw
B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation said local police had closed the Alex Fraser Bridge Friday over concerns about safe travel across the bridge. Slush had accumulated on the cable stays, and with the high winds, ice began shedding onto the bridge deck, according to the ministry.
The ministry has not said whether anyone was injured or whether cars were damaged.
However, images online show a car smashed by an ice bomb on the Port Mann Bridge, according to a tweet from News 1130. A ministry spokesperson, Sukhi Tomana, couldn’t confirm there had been damage.
Tomana said they were waiting for more information before making a statement.
Metro Vancouver’s two cable-stayed bridges, the Port Mann and the Alex Fraser have had to close down in the past because of a problem with ice and wet snow. Cable collars were installed on the Port Mann in the fall of 2013, which slide down the cables and remove snow and ice.
Early radio traffic reports said the roads across the region were slushy and slippery, with several minor accidents on the morning commute.
In Port Moody, Guildford Way was down to one lane after a motorcycle accident. Port Moody police say a motorcyclist may have slipped on the road, but police don’t have all the details yet. The condition of the driver is unknown.
In Delta, one lane was closed because of a jackknifed semi on Highway 17, and Drive BC warned drivers to expect lengthy delays. Delta police say the driver of the semi was not injured and no other cars were involved in the accident.
Drive BC asked motorists to slow down because of the weather and slippery road conditions.
Due to snowy & icy weather, please dress for the elements, wear proper footwear and expect some service disruptions throughout the day. There may be extra crowding on some routes due to additional passengers & some 60’ buses will be changed to 40’ where possible. ^kv
As of 9:30 a.m. Friday, more than 7,000 BC Hydro customers in Metro Vancouver are without power.
BC Hydro spokesperson Kevin Aquino says there are extra crews on standby because of the snow.
ticrawford@postmedia.com
-with a file from Jennifer Saltman
#DNVsnow crew reports all trucks have been called in to help throughout the snow this morning. Snow is expected to turn to rain today & continue into the evening. Please drive carefully & help us keep neighbourhoods safe by clearing the sidewalk in front of your home. #NorthVan pic.twitter.com/F9zMTDgfHx