Canadian transportation officials have grounded a trucking company’s operations pending investigation into a double overpass strike on Thursday.
The overpass strikes occurred at 9:17 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, in the Vancouver area, B.C.
According to B.C. Highway Patrol, the “initial investigation shows that a tractor-trailer towing a large vertical load struck both the 264 overpass and the CP Rail overpass on Highway 1 westbound” in Langley.
Police said that the damage to the overpasses is minimal.
“…The load involved, a shipment of pre-formed concrete, is associated to a company that is known to police. As a result, Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) officers have been called in to take conduct of the investigation into any load height and permitting issues,” B.C. Highway Patrol said.
Global News confirmed that the B.C. Ministry of Transportation has suspended the trucking company’s operating license for the duration of the investigation into the overpass strikes.
B.C. transportation officials have taken several steps to crack down on overpass strikes over the past two years.
- In March 2024, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced changes to the Commercial Transport Act (CTA) that will allow fines of up to $100,000 for an overpass strike with a commercial vehicle. The fine can also come with up to 18 months in prison upon conviction for violations.
- In April 2024, a commercial vehicle speed limiter mandate went into effect to try to curb infrastructure strikes and reduce crashes.
- In June 2024, a rule went into effect requiring dump truck drivers to have an in-cab warning device to alert them to a raised bed.
The increased commercial vehicle vs. overpass scrutiny in B.C. comes following a high-profile December 28, 2023 bridge strike on Highway 99 in Delta that resulted in the permanent cancellation of the license of B.C.-based Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd.
“With these new penalties, we are taking the strongest action possible to keep our roads safe and to keep people, goods and services moving,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “This also sends a message to commercial truck drivers that they are responsible for the safe transportation of goods and services on our roads, and a lax attitude toward safety will not be tolerated.”