B.C.'s transportation ministry says traffic is slowly moving again northbound on Highway 99 in Richmond after a section of the road collapsed early yesterday.
Lane diversions are in effect at Bridgeport Road and motorists are advised to expect delays this morning, according to Drive BC.
Thomas Chhun, the ministry's operations manager for Metro Vancouver, said a culvert failed beneath the right northbound lane just before the Oak Street Bridge near Bridgeport Road and Sea Island Way, causing the surface of the highway to crumble and create a huge pothole.
The incident caused lengthy backups and traffic snarls as traffic was restricted to one northbound lane.
Crews temporarily supported the culvert with jacks to prevent any further collapse, while crews shifted the concrete median to open another lane on the highway. The southbound lanes were not to be affected, Chhun added.
Repair work on the pothole was expected to start immediately, according to the minister, although it's yet not know when the right-hand land would reopen.
Motorists have been urged to use Highway 91 and other alternate routes, according to Drive BC.
