Commuters in Surrey faced significant disruptions on Wednesday morning after a commercial truck collided with an overpass on Highway 1, prompting lane closures and a safety inspection of the structure.
Collision Details and Immediate Response
The incident occurred just before 9:30 a.m. on January 14, 2026. According to witnesses who contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), a commercial truck was towing an excavator on a flat-deck trailer when it struck the overpass on Highway 1 eastbound in Surrey.
Police responded swiftly, closing the eastbound right lane to assess the scene. Initial inspections revealed visible damage to the overpass, necessitating a full engineering evaluation to ensure the structure's safety before it could be reopened to normal traffic flow.
Ongoing Traffic Impacts and Safety Concerns
The RCMP immediately warned motorists to expect considerable delays in the area and advised seeking alternate routes if possible. The lane closure created a bottleneck during the morning commute, impacting travel through the region.
This incident highlights a persistent and costly problem for British Columbia's infrastructure. In the past four years alone, the province has recorded 74 overpass strikes by trucks carrying overheight loads. These collisions pose serious risks to public safety and cause millions in repair costs and traffic disruptions.
Provincial Crackdown on Overpass Strikes
In response to the alarming frequency of these incidents, the Province of British Columbia has significantly escalated penalties for violations. Consequences now include:
- Fines of up to $100,000 for companies and drivers.
- Potential jail time of up to 18 months.
- Escalating consequences for repeat offenders, which can include the suspension of a company's entire fleet of trucks.
Authorities emphasize that commercial drivers bear the ultimate responsibility. They must know the exact dimensions of their load, adhere strictly to pre-approved routes designed for oversized vehicles, and ensure all cargo is properly secured before beginning their journey.
The investigation into the Surrey overpass strike is ongoing as crews work to repair the damage and restore full traffic capacity on Highway 1.
