It’s been more than a month since an overpass was hit by an overheight vehicle anywhere in B.C. and it’s evidence the province is headed in the right direction in reversing what has been a troubling trend.
For the past few years, numerous overheight vehicles – usually cargo on freight trailers – have impacted overpasses and rail bridges around B.C.
A series of high-profile crashes led to a government crackdown, with Aldergrove-based Chohan Freight Forwarders losing its safety certificate on Dec. 29, 2023. In March 2024 the government raised potential fines for an overpass strike to $100,000 and possible jail time for drivers.
According to the Ministry of Transportation’s records, the number of overpass strikes has tapered off through the course of the year.
In the first three months of 2025, there were seven overpass hits around B.C. In the second quarter, there were five. Between July and Sept. 25, there have been just three.
All three of those hits were in Langley, two on the 264 Street overpass and one on the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) rail overpass. Two of those incidents remain under investigation, with temporary suspensions issued.
The third, an Aug. 22 strike westbound at 264 Street, has been found to be caused by the driver failing to correctly measure their load and driving with an incorrect permit. The firm faced a temporary suspension, which was lifted on Sept. 8 after an action plan was put into place.
Overall, there have been fewer strikes this year. In 2024, there were 29 hits around B.C.
With three-quarters of 2025 over, there have been 15.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation issued a statement about the reduction.
“This decline reflects the work government has done over the past two years, including stronger enforcement, tougher penalties, more education, and suspensions for repeat offenders,” the statement said, noting that companies can have their safety certificates suspended or cancelled, which stops them from operating here.
“Cross-provincial carriers are also reported to their home jurisdictions,” the ministry statement said.
It also noted that since last June, in-cab warning systems are mandated for dump trucks, to let drivers know when their box is raised above 4.15 metres.
Langley has seen a significant number of overpass strikes through the years in part because some of its crossings are older and lower than average. The overpasses at 232 Street and 264 Street were both built in the 1960s when the Trans-Canada Highway was constructed.
Construction on new overpasses and interchanges at both sites is underway. The CPKC rail overpass is also scheduled to be replaced.