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Drivers warned to stay off roads as second snow storm blankets North Shore

Schools are closed today in North Vancouver and West Vancouver. TransLink warns of possible delays and cancellations.
Jane Seyd
Jane Seyd

If you don’t have to drive, you’re better off steering clear of the roads.

That’s the message from police and road clearing contractors this morning, after a snowstorm that brought up to 30 centimetres to the North Shore began blanketing North and West Vancouver overnight.

In West Vancouver, a truck lost control heading south on 15th Street and crashed into a fence. The vehicle was towed and a violation ticket may be issued, according to West Vancouver Police.
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A truck lost control in slippery conditions on West Vancouver's 15th Street and crashed into a fence Wednesday morning. Luckily nobody was injured. WVPD

 

 
Elsewhere in West Van, "We are seeing drivers not adjusting speeds to the conditions, vehicles with excess snow on them and winter tire violations," said Sgt. Chris Bigland, spokesman for the WVPD.

Traffic had already backed up westbound along North Vancouver's Cut Wednesday morning after cars stalled on the slippery hill and on the Taylor Way hill in West Vancouver. Both stalls appeared to be clear by noon.

Both West Vancouver and North Vancouver school districts announced all schools are closed today.

Capilano University, BCIT and UBC have also announced that in-person classes are cancelled today due to the weather.

In West Vancouver, the Seniors’ Activity Centre, Gleneagles Community Centre, Ice Arena & Youth Hub are also closed today. The West Van Community Centre and Aquatic Centre will remain open for swim and fitness centre drop-ins but all other programs are cancelled. Garbage and organics collection has also been cancelled today in the District of North Vancouver.

Municipal road crews were called in in West Vancouver for an overnight shift last night and were up salting and brining roads in preparation for the snow. Three tandem trucks and four small trucks have been working on clearing main roads. 

Similar preparations were underway overnight in the District and City of North Vancouver.

The City reported 80 per cent of Priority 1 roads were clear by 8:30 a.m. and crews were busy working on Priority 2 routes. The 400-block of 4th and 19th streets and the 500 block of Kennard Avenue have also been closed due to dangerous conditions.

During heavy snowfall, however, crews will likely only be focused on keeping priority one roads clear, warned spokeswoman Donna Power.

Challenging road conditions mean transit delays and cancellations are possible, particularly at high elevations of the North Shore, said TransLink spokeswoman Tina Lovgreen. Delays and detours were already in place for the 229 Lynn Valley, 241 Upper Lonsdale, 230 Lonsdale Quay and 210 Upper Lynn Valley routes Wednesday morning. She advised commuters to check X and TransLink alerts for up-to-date information. Buses are equipped with tires designed to provide traction in snow and winter conditions, but especially on the North Shore’s hilly terrain, bus drivers depend on the roads being cleared.

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North Vancouver photographer ventured out early on Wednesday to capture scenes of snowy streets in North Vancouver. Mark Teasdale

DriveBC warned the middle lane of the Lions Gate Bridge is also closed due to snow conditions.

Webcam pictures from DriveBC were showing snow on all of the North Shore’s major routes Wednesday morning.

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A DriveBC camera shows highway conditions on Highway1 near Taylor Way just before 7 am Wednesday. DriveBC

North Vancouver photographer Mark Teasdale headed out early Wednesday morning and captured scenes of snowy streets on the North Shore and across the Lions Gate Bridge into Vancouver.

Snow bringing significant accumations is expected to continue throughout the day on Wednesday before temperatures warm up towards the end of the week.