Commuters in Metro Vancouver are facing a “perfect storm” of traffic congestion this Tuesday morning, 10 February 2026, as a major collision on the Alex Fraser Bridge has crippled one of the region’s primary arterial routes. The incident coincides with the ongoing week-long closure of the Pattullo Bridge, leaving drivers with few alternatives.
Morning Commute Gridlock: 10 February 2026
A serious vehicle incident involving a semi-truck occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning near the north end of the Alex Fraser Bridge. According to DriveBC, the truck struck the median, resulting in significant damage and debris. As of 6:00 a.m., both southbound lanes remained closed, while only one northbound lane was open to traffic.
The timing of the crash is particularly impactful as the Pattullo Bridge and Stal̓əw̓asəm (Riverview) Bridge are currently closed for a full week (starting 6 February) to facilitate connections to the new replacement bridge. This has forced a massive volume of traffic onto the Alex Fraser and Port Mann bridges, leading to delays exceeding 45 minutes for those travelling between Surrey, Delta, and Richmond.
High-Speed Impoundment
The bridge also made headlines earlier this week following a reckless driving incident. A 51-year-old Surrey man had his Lamborghini Urus SUV impounded after being clocked by BC Highway Patrol travelling at 197 km/h. The speed, recorded on Wednesday, 4 February, was nearly three times the posted 70 km/h limit on the bridge. The driver faces over $2,500 in fines and towing fees, and the vehicle has been seized for seven days.
Bridge Profile & Technical Specifications
Opened on 22 September 1986, the Alex Fraser Bridge remains a vital piece of British Columbia’s infrastructure. At the time of its completion, it held the record for the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.
- Total Length: 2,525 metres (8,284 ft)
- Main Span: 465 metres (1,526 ft)
- Tower Height: 154 metres (505 ft)
- Design: Cable-stayed with a semi-fan system, designed by Buckland & Taylor.
- Configuration: Six lanes with a counter-flow system to manage peak direction traffic.
Recent engineering discussions have highlighted that the bridge’s design cannot easily accommodate additional safety fencing or suicide barriers, as the added weight and wind resistance would create structural stress not accounted for in the original 1980s specifications.
Travel Advisory
Authorities are advising commuters to avoid the Alex Fraser Bridge for the remainder of the morning. Those travelling from Surrey or Delta into Vancouver or Richmond should consider the Port Mann Bridge or Massey Tunnel, though both routes are experiencing secondary congestion due to diverted traffic. TransLink has also noted that bus routes crossing the bridge may be subject to detours or significant delays.