Hwy 99 southbound reopens in Delta after truck hit overpass
Engineers assessed damage at busy intersection just south of Massey Tunnel
UPDATE — July 19, 7:30 a.m.: The southbound lanes of Highway 99 have reopened, but the southbound lanes of the Highway 17A overpass remain closed.
EARLIER STORY:
The southbound lanes of Highway 99 in Delta, B.C., at Highway 17A will remain closed through Wednesday morning after a commercial truck collided with an overpass on Tuesday.
According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, engineers assessed the damage on Tuesday and anticipate the highway will reopen southbound on Wednesday afternoon.
A detour has been set up at Highway 17A for drivers headed south from the George Massey Tunnel, but commuters are being warned to expect significant traffic and delays.
"Drivers heading out of Richmond into Delta and Surrey are encouraged to take the Alex Fraser Bridge via Highway 91," reads a statement from the transport ministry.
⛔REMINDER - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCHwy99?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCHwy99</a> A vehicle incident at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCHwy17A?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCHwy17A</a> overpass has the overpass and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCHwy99?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCHwy99</a> CLOSED to all southbound traffic. Detour via <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCHwy17A?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCHwy17A</a>. Assessment in progress. No estimated time of opening. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasseyTunnel?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasseyTunnel</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeltaBC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeltaBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RichmondBC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RichmondBC</a><br><br>ℹ️More info:<a href="https://t.co/ITXC8exEUh">https://t.co/ITXC8exEUh</a> <a href="https://t.co/TVInjeBxU0">pic.twitter.com/TVInjeBxU0</a>
—@DriveBCThe ministry says the northbound bus lane on Highway 17A will reopen once debris is removed from the scene. However, the sidewalk on the overpass and the southbound lane will remain closed with barriers in place to ensure commuters' safety.
According to DriveBC, the next update on conditions is expected at 4 a.m. PT on Wednesday.