Expect long waits at the border, ferry terminals this long weekend
Posted October 6, 2017 10:14 am.
Last Updated October 6, 2017 10:15 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LOWER MAINLAND (NEWS 1130) – You might want to leave early to give yourself extra travel time, if you’re heading out of town this long weekend.
If last year’s Thanksgiving long weekend is any indication of this year’s, you could be in for a bit of a delay at the border.
The Canada Border Services Agency says more than 20,000 cars crossed into Canada at the five Lower Mainland crossings last Thanksgiving Day. More than 13,000 of those cars were at the Douglas (Peace Arch) and Pacific Highway crossings.
The back-up could be even worse this year, as there is construction happening at the Peace Arch crossing, and there are only seven general traffic lanes open instead of the usual 10.
If you’re able to come back into Canada on Monday, that could save you some time, as the CBSA says it expects more border traffic on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
BC Ferries is also expecting a busy weekend on its sailings. It has added 90 extra sailings between today and Tuesday, the vast majority of which are on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route.
There are also extra sailing slated for the Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay route at peak times, as well as an extra round trip on the Horseshoe Bay – Langdale route tonight and Monday night.
If you’re able to take an early-morning or late in the evening, you could save some money. Standard passenger vehicle and driver fares can be as low as $39 on select sailings during these times.
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