Council wants to know how things can be improved as far as getting traffic moving quicker following collisions involving trucks in South Delta.
On July 23, it took four hours for police and road crews to clear the southbound lane of Highway 17 after a trailer being towed by a dump truck suffered a blown tire and overturned. The incident occurred near municipal hall at about 11 a.m., south of the intersection with Highway 10. The southbound lanes didn't re-open until about 3 p.m.
Two other vehicles were involved in the crash but nobody was seriously hurt. Rocks and soil from the truck spilled across the highway and a concrete barrier was pushed aside.
Delta police responded but then stood down when the RCMP, which has jurisdiction of Highway 17, arrived. Local police and engineering department personnel were on hand to offer assistance if needed, however, the resulting traffic chaos due to another truck collision left commuters once again frustrated.
Complaints flooded municipal hall including concerns from a letter writer asking what is the emergency plan if something happens on the highway.
Chief administrative officer George Harvie noted engineering staff couldn't get anywhere near the scene with messaging boards to notify motorists.
Civic politicians Monday agreed to have operational staff investigate the protocol and procedures and have a report written on the issue. The issue was also referred to the police board.
This spring, a three-day truck inspection blitz in Delta saw more than 16,000 trucks assessed. Of that, 692 were given further inspection and 268 (39 per cent) of those were deemed to be out of service.
