SURREY: It was a day of havoc, mayhem and confusion when a snow storm hit Lower Mainland on Tuesday this week. The snowstorm was not unusual. But the traffic gridlock that left commuters across the city paralysed for more than 8 hours, was something no one had ever witnessed in this city.
It was a nightmare for those travelling through Highway 1 and Highway 91, especially Alex Fraser bridge. The Alex Fraser Bridge was completely shut down in both directions after multiple buses and semi-trucks spun out, leaving tow trucks and snowplows with no room to get through.
People spent more than 8 hours on roads, hungry, tired, thirsty and some even running out of gas to at least stay cozy in the stand still vehicles.
While there was no information from the authorities about the time the bridge would open, some people were God sent (quite literally) to help the stranded passengers near New Westminster. A group of volunteers of Gurudwara Sukh Sagar that is located adjacent to the bridge on the other side of Queensborough bridge, stepped up to help the people by feeding them food and helping them use Gurudwara’s washrooms.
A group of the temple’s volunteer was stuck in traffic. After waiting for few hours, they decided to walk towards the Sikh temple, while one remained with the car in case the traffic moved.
According to Amandeep Singh Garcha, spokesperson for the Khalsa Diwan Society of New Westminster, “Once the volunteers arrived at the temple, they had hot tea and used washrooms. Meanwhile one of them thought about those who were still stuck in the traffic. They decided to take hot tea and snacks near the Queensborough bridge. They packed all the tea, and food that was left in the temple and carried it in the snow, for the commuters.”
Garcha informed everything finished quickly. “The volunteers came back and then Gurudawara prepared langar for 300 more people and served it. The bridge still didn’t open. So, our volunteers stayed with the cars of those who wanted to use washroom. The temple opened its door for anyone who wanted to come, eat food, and use washrooms. And there were few who managed to get out of that traffic. They parked their cars in Gurudwara and slept inside. They left once the Alex Fraser bridge opened around 4 o’clock in the morning.”
It was an emergency that no one was prepared for. While Garcha hopes nothing like this happens again, he assures, if need be, the doors of the temple will always be opened for the people who need help. “Any time, 24 hours, the doors of the temples are open for washroom or refreshments.”
The Tuesday gong show has raised many questions about BC’s preparedness for emergencies. Many took to Twitter to express their frustrations and also question the authorities. Some were asking if government cannot handle a regular snowstorm, how would it handle emergencies like earthquake. Some narrated their stories about having kids, patients and seniors in their cars with no food supplies, medicines etc.
The traffic may have cleared after the bridges opened, but authorities still need to offer clarifications on what went wrong and how they would deal with something like this in the future.
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What people wrote on Twitter
“One thing everyone can agree on is that last night was a major failure on part of all levels of government responsible for traffic and highways”
“Snowing happens months in a row in other cities and other countries, but traffic in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland is ALWAYS coming to a halt on the first snow. ALWAYS. Despite the fact that we receive heavy snow warnings days ahead. What are we paying taxes for?”
“We’ve been talking about this “snow storm” for weeks – and the potential traffic problems – yet we can literally count the number of flakes falling.”
“What you’re seeing in Vancouver is a complete failure of traffic mobility despite multiple announcements about the severity of the #BCStorm and approximately 11cm of snow.”
“#Vancouver is the most dangerous city to live in. Not because of the general public. But because if there’s one little accident, traffic takes hours for only 30 km..”
“Over 9 vehicles were involved – including a TransLink bus in just one of the wild and dangerous traffic situations across Metro Vancouver Tuesday night.”
“Imagine how paralyzing a major earthquake will be for this city?”
“I had friends stuck in traffic for 11 hours yesterday. Coming back from UBC took 3 hours and a half. Walking. After hopelessly waiting at the bus stop for more than 1 hour. This is simply unacceptable in a city like Vancouver.”
“I have been stuck in the most horrendous wintery traffic I’ve ever experienced for almost 6 hours, travelling from Vancouver General Hospital to Surrey. Stuck on Royal Avenue intended for Patullo for 2 hours. I have a cancer patient with me and I don’t know what to do.”
Home International Commuters’ nightmare: A regular snow storm that paralysed Lower Mainland, Gurudwara Sukh...
