Falling ice from the new Port Mann Bridge in B.C. has been closed after several cars were damaged, The Province reports.
On Wednesday afternoon, several people began posting pictures to Twitter of the damage done to their cars after they were hit by what some referred to as “ice bombs.” The images show smashed windshields, dented hoods and damaged mirrors. The bridge has been closed in both directions, and Drive BC estimates the bridge will reopen sometime between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. PST.
So about that new Port Mann bridge? Well, the overhanging support wires create snow bombs. One just hit my mirror. twitter.com/jameslepp/stat…
— James Lepp (@jameslepp) December 19, 2012
For those asking, my passengers and I are all OK. But here’s the windshield. Miracle it shattered. twitpic.com/bng5rt
— David Pensato ★ (@pensato) December 19, 2012
“The closure was necessary because falling ice from the bridge injured a motorist who required ambulance attendance and damaged vehicles,” said Sgt. Peter Thiessen, spokesperson for LMD traffic services in a press release. He added that the bridge will be reopened once the weather has improved and the bridge has been assessed.
The highway cameras above the Port Mann Bridge were briefly offline, but have since turned back on. You can see the live view of the bridge here.
The Port Mann Bridge, which connects Coquitlam to Surrey, B.C., was recently re-opened after a billion-dollar revitalization project. The original four lane bridge was built in 1964. Now, the bridge opens to eight lanes of traffic, with an additional two lanes expected to be added next year.