Major delays on BC Ferries sailings, border crossings from Vancouver Friday
Posted April 19, 2019 9:35 am.
Last Updated April 20, 2019 11:55 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — If your holiday weekend plans take you to Vancouver Island or across the border, expect to wait a long time.
Friday morning saw up to four-sailing waits on sailings from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, but they were reduced to two sailings late afternoon. Traffic getting to the terminals was also severely backed up.
RELATED: BC Ferries bracing for a busy long weekend
People hoping to travel from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay were stuck waiting for at least one sailing, and up to two sailings for the Horseshoe Bay to Langdale route.
Drivers waiting at the Tsawwassen terminal feared they would miss their reservations because of clogged traffic.
Three sail waits at Tsawwassen terminal for main Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route this Easter wknd. I’m speaking w/ drivers-some suggesting traffic management along causeway not ideal, another calling for mandatory reservation system as he’s seen in England. Listen for more @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/kjlcO2v6iO
— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) April 19, 2019
Even for people who were used to waiting on an Easter weekend, it was a frustrating experience.
“I left an hour and 45 minutes ago from Langley, and I missed the ferry by I’d say 15 minutes,” one man tells NEWS 1130.
“We had a reservation so we weren’t fussed, but I’ve never had this delay getting in to the terminal, ever,” said another man waiting for a sailing.
“This is totally bizarre. We come every year, and this is nuts,” she says.
Border delays
Crossing the border also took some time through Friday afternoon, even though the wait is shorter than earlier that morning.
Wait times at Pacific Highway and Peace Arch were between and hour and up to three hours, with waits still long at Sumas and Aldergorve, but somewhat shorter.
It's a very busy morning heading into the US. I'd say at least 1.5 hours at Peace Arch and Pacific Highway.
But don't be this guy. Wait your turn. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/wJHjlyLDfD— Amanda Wawryk (@AmandaWawryk) April 19, 2019
9:00 – Southbound border wait times:#PeaceArch – ~ 1.5-2 Hours#PacHWY – ~ 1.5-2 Hours#Aldergrove – 20-30 mins#Sumas – 10-20 mins
Northbound border wait times:#PeaceArch – 5 mins#PacHWY – 5 mins#Aldergrove – 5 mins#Sumas – 5 mins
— CityNews Vancouver Traffic (@CityNewsTraffic) April 19, 2019
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