Transit, roads hit hard by snow in parts of Metro Vancouver

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DELTA (NEWS 1130) – Environment Canada has ended a special weather statement for the region after several areas were blanketed in snow.

You can expect icy road conditions especially south of the Fraser River where the greatest accumulations are likely. Skies will clear overnight and temperatures will drop to at least -5.

The snow has caused some problems on the road and for transit users. Police are urging people in places like Delta and Tsawwassen to avoid getting behind the wheel due to adverse conditions.

TransLink had cancelled services for much of the area around Tsawwassen shortly after the snow started to pile up on the roads.

Home supply stores across the Lower Mainland have shovels and salt at the ready as the region deals with another round of wintery weather that should last until the end of the week.

We’re expecting a bit of a break in the forecast on Thursday, however, NEWS 1130 Meteorologist Russ Lacate says the clouds will return on Friday and could bring several centimetres of snow before a mix of rain and snow take over on Saturday and lead to wet snow on Sunday.

Stores learned from last year’s shortages and have plenty of gear in stock, according to Malden Stepancev, who manages the Canadian Tire at Grandview Highway and Boundary Road in Vancouver.

“We ordered really heavy late last year. We’ve got a tone of stuff in stock,” Stepancev said. “Between 30 and 50 skids of an assortment of salt and ice melter, skids and skids of snow shovels, pushers and ice chippers.”

Another manager at a Home Depot in Surrey said he made sure he was the first to buy supplies to make sure he had enough stock this year.

Many customers apparently remembered last year’s long lines and salt shortages and decided to come in early this year to gear up. “I think people were just more conscious of it going into this winter,” Stepancev said.

TransLink says it’s ready for snow

The transit authority will use de-icer spray trains to keep tracks clear of ice and de-icing stations at covered areas and tunnels to keep snow off trains. Meanwhile, some SkyTrains will run all night to keep snow off the tracks.

Heating cables have been installed on sections of the Canada Line’s power rail while cover board were installed to prevent build-up.

Bus

  • Tire sock trial: If snowy weather limits access to Burnaby Mountain, we will use “tire socks” on buses operating between Production Way – University Station, Hastings and Duthie, and SFU
  • Trolley bus wires anti-icing trucks: These trucks can spray anti-icing agent to the entire 300-km electric trolley overhead system if there is risk of frost or ice
  • Additional bus traction: Operators have a snow/ice switch which gives better traction in snow
  • Bus switch outs: If needed, we switch out articulated buses for traditional buses. Articulated buses are great for carrying large numbers of passengers, but 40-foot conventional buses have better traction on hills in snow
  • Snow routes: Work with municipalities to coordinate our service with priority corridors for snow clearing, should conditions become severe

 

Buses that encounter trouble travelling up Burnaby Mountain can pull out their tire socks, while glycol will be used to keep bus wires ice-free.

HandyDART

  • Prioritizing day programs: Staff contacted regular day programs in October to make them aware of HandyDART requirements for salting/sanding and access
  • Targeting difficult locations: Staff have reached out to customers with problem driveways/access to see if they have a clearing plan
  • Extra staffing: When conditions require reduction to essential service, two drivers go out with each bus to assist customers with loading/unloading

 

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