update from Drive BC

Shakey

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BC Highway/Travel Conditions

(NOVEMBER 17, 2021) -- The best resource for real time specifics will always be Drive BC ( www.drivebc.ca ). We will NOT be providing notice of real-time highway conditions as the provincial government is best positioned to do this.

Please DO NOT “read between the lines.” As always, we will pass along what we know and tell you what we do not. Simply because we do not know does not mean it’s “bad,” or “terrible,” or otherwise. We just do not know.

What we know:

• Rail traffic through the Fraser Canyon remains interrupted and there is no ETA for providing an estimate of when service will resume.

• There are over 10,000 people evacuated around the province, most from Merritt. Over 7,000 have re-located to Kamloops; 1,100 are in Hope. Work is underway to build a temporary access road to move people out of the Hope region. There is no ETA for a return to Merritt.

• All connections from the interior to the coast remain closed.

• It is extremely likely that Hwy 1 and 5 will be closed for the longer term.

• On Vancouver Island, the Malahat is open one lane each direction during daylight hours. There will be overnight closures for at least the next 6 days.

Major Inland Routes:

• Hwy 5, the Coquihalla, has multiple washouts and at least 5 structures are impacted.
• Hwy 1 remains closed south of Spences Bridge to Hope. There are two washouts on Hwy 1.
• Hwy 12 remains closed, but should be open later today.
• Hwy 99 is closed south of Lillooet. Cleanup is progressing during daylight hours and it is anticipated to be open shortly. The slide has resulted in one confirmed fatality.
• Hwy 8 between Spences Bridge and Merritt is closed as a bridge is destroyed and there are multiple wash outs.
• Hwy 1 is open Kamloops to Golden, but single lane near 3 valley gap.

Hwy 3 appears to be the first route to be able to be reopened, perhaps by the end of the weekend. Movement of goods will be prioritized. The methodology for this will be communicated as soon as we become aware.

We have engaged CBSA and CBP to explore the option of in-transit goods movement from a border crossing in the interior to Pac Hwy. We will keep members apprised of work in this area as it progresses.
 
If they do decide to in transit the freight south and back up - will drivers with no US visa be able to do the border crossing on temp paperwork?
I mean we have Canada only teams on certain routes... soooooooo
 
Just watching CBC News segment about BC flood disaster. This is a huge problem. All traffic, both road and rail will be disrupted for days if not weeks and months in some areas. Food, fuel and other critical supplies are in short supply. Testimony to how fragile humanity is in the face of disasters such as this.
 
I appreciate the link but that doesn't say that repairs will take 8 months on the Coquihalla and 1 month on Hwy 1.
 
I appreciate the link but that doesn't say that repairs will take 8 months on the Coquihalla and 1 month on Hwy 1.

I'm getting this from people in BC and they are getting from news. Coquihalla has to be rebuilt going to take months they are guessing 8 especially going into winter. HWY 1 they are hoping a month and HWY 3 they are hoping for the 28th
 
Just what the already over stretched supply chain needed, a transportation catastrophe! Let’s hope that greed and rate exploitation doesn’t raise its ugly head. Shippers will, or at least should, remember who the characters were that worked them over during these desperate and trying times.
 
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It all comes down to supply and demand. I can't understand to this day why people get upset about it. Trucking company's take advantage of it and so do brokers.

look at the steamship lines! They caused the port backlogs with their pricing, 10k to West cost or 25K to move box inward so they could get their boxes back quicker. Importers figured no way 15k to xdock and move via IDML or road..............impossible for infrastructure in place to do all these and now they are paying more than 15k in storage/trucking or more.
 
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Just what the already over stretched supply chain needed, a transportation catastrophe! Let’s hope that greed and rate exploitation doesn’t raise its ugly head. Shippers will, or at least should, remember who the characters were that worked them over during these desperate and trying times.
I get it but when most brokers are the first to bend carriers over when it is slow??? While I hope this is not the new normal it sure looks like it will be a while before everyone gets caught up. Last Friday I had all our 30 trailers loaded with freight I only have a dozen trucks of which 3 do not run US. Been like that for a couple months. Loads sitting in the yard for a week and hard to get any help so they sit until we can make them happen. Our customers are understanding of it because the lanes we do not do for them are sitting also. There is either a shortage of trucks right now or an over abundance of freight but it is crazy times...Being a broker right now must suck..
 
I was referring only to those who seek to make unexpected profits from this disaster, whether they be carriers, freight brokers, freight forwarders, air cargo providers or railroads. Certainly supply and demand will continue to drive the market as it should, but I am sure none of us want to see this tragic situation being exploited, allowing a few companies to line their pockets at the expense of those adversely affected by this tragedy. I know I am probably dreaming, because there will always be those who will try and grab an extra slice of pie, regardless if there is enough to go around or not.