Carrier suspended after truck hauling helicopter hits a Metro Vancouver overpass
Once again, an investigation has been launched after a semi-truck carrying an over-height load hit an overpass.
According to BC Highway Patrol, the semi-truck carrying a helicopter allegedly struck the Gilmore overpass on Highway 1 eastbound just before Willingdon Avenue in Burnaby on Monday evening.
The Ministry of Transportation received a report of an incident occurring on the afternoon of January 15 at the Gilmore overpass eastbound, on Highway 1.
The Ministry added that the driver of the commercial vehicle had an oversized permit but “the height exceeded what was stated on the permit.”
There is minor damage to the overpass height sign and no visible damage to the bridge, the Ministry confirmed.
“The carrier involved is International Machine Transport Inc., which has been issued an immediate suspension across their 20-vehicle fleet until the investigation is complete,” it added in a statement.
While initial reports suggested the incident occurred at the Brunette overpass, the Ministry confirmed it was not involved in this incident and the truck was stopped near that location during the investigation.
RCMP and the Ministry are investigating the incident together.
This incident is just one of several that have occurred this month. Last week, RCMP received a report that a transport truck smacked into the top of the Massey Tunnel. A week before that, an over-height load on Highway 1 in Abbotsford scrapped the overpass at No. 3 Road.
BC’s transportation minister has not held back his condemnation that these kinds of incidents are a serious problem for the province’s transportation corridors.