A trucking company in British Columbia has been suspended after one of its vehicles struck an overpass in Metro Vancouver, marking the second such incident in recent weeks.
The incident occurred on Monday morning when a truck from the company, whose name has not been disclosed, hit the overpass on Highway 1 near the Willingdon Avenue exit. The impact caused significant damage to the truck and the overpass, resulting in the closure of the highway for several hours.
According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the truck was carrying an oversized load that exceeded the height limit for the overpass. The ministry has since suspended the company’s permit to operate oversized vehicles, pending a full investigation into the incident.
This is not the first time a truck from this company has been involved in an overpass collision. In fact, just two weeks ago, another truck from the same company struck an overpass on Highway 91 in Delta, causing significant damage and traffic delays.
The ministry has stated that the company had been warned about the height restrictions on these overpasses and had been issued a permit with specific route instructions. However, it appears that these warnings were not heeded, resulting in two costly and dangerous incidents.
The ministry has also emphasized the importance of trucking companies adhering to safety regulations and ensuring that their drivers are properly trained and informed about route restrictions. Failure to do so not only puts the safety of the drivers and other road users at risk, but also causes significant damage to infrastructure and disrupts traffic flow.
The suspension of this trucking company’s permit serves as a reminder to all companies in the industry to prioritize safety and follow regulations to avoid similar incidents in the future. The ministry has also stated that they will be conducting a thorough review of all permits issued to this company and will take appropriate action if necessary.
In the meantime, the damaged overpass has been inspected and deemed safe for use, and the highway has been reopened to traffic. However, the ministry has warned that any further incidents involving this company or any other trucking company will not be tolerated and will result in severe consequences.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for all trucking companies to prioritize safety and adhere to regulations to prevent any further damage and disruptions on our roads. The ministry’s investigation into this incident is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.
