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Dump truck hits Hwy 1 overpass in Abbotsford, B.C., causing traffic delays

A police photo of the scene after a dump truck hit the No. 3 Road overpass over Highway 1 early Monday. (Abbotsford Police Department/Twitter - image credit)
A police photo of the scene after a dump truck hit the No. 3 Road overpass over Highway 1 early Monday. (Abbotsford Police Department/Twitter - image credit)

Commuters faced significant delays Monday morning after a dump truck hit the No. 3 Road overpass along the Trans-Canada Highway in Abbotsford, B.C.

The Abbotsford Police Department says the driver of the truck was not injured, but is "extremely shook up."

Sgt. Paul Walker says the truck was heading eastbound along Highway 1 when its front driver side tire blew and the driver lost control, sending the vehicle into the median where it hit the overpass. The truck then burst into flames, Walker said.

The crash was reported on DriveBC shortly after 5:30 a.m. PT.

Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service Assistant Fire Chief Tom Dodd said crews extinguished the flames, but remained on scene to inspect the damage.

The overpass was closed while an assessment was completed, causing significant traffic delays. As of 12:55 p.m. PT Monday, the highway was reopened to all lanes, but DriveBC said congestion is likely and delays may ensue.

Baneet Braich/CBC
Baneet Braich/CBC

Mainroad Contracting, which handles road maintenance in the Lower Mainland, said in a statement that the damaged vehicle and cargo were being removed from the site earlier on Monday and "all spilled fluids" were being recovered and removed.

Truckers have been raising safety concerns after a string of collisions in the region in the past.

Last year, the Ministry of Transportation said it would be stepping up enforcement, particularly around the height of vehicles.