Massive border lineups as B.C. residents head south for long weekend

Massive lineups at the Peace Arch Border Crossing had drivers growing increasingly frustrated, with some social media users reporting waits as long as five hours.

Images from the B.C. Ministry of Transportation's highway cameras showed vehicles backed up bumper-to-bumper well past 8 Avenue in Surrey as families flocked to the U.S. for day trips and weekend getaways.

Some drivers were also stuck waiting 90 minutes or longer at the Pacific Highway crossing.

"We've been waiting to get across this intersection now for about four hours," said California resident Beth Buti, who was stuck waiting just before the intersection at 8 Avenue and Highway 15.

It wasn’t just travellers impacted by the lengthy lines, nearby residents were also disrupted.

"We've been here for 10 years and I've never seen it like this," Barb Faye told CTV News Vancouver.

"One of our neighbours had to park at the gas station on 8 Avenue and walk home because you can't get here."

The lines at both crossings were long enough to prompt a traffic advisory from Surrey RCMP, who advised travellers to check with DriveBC before heading out.

"While waiting in line, do not block streets, intersections or driveways as persons in the local neighbourhoods need to access their homes," Staff Sgt. Andrea McKinney said in a news release.

Wait times were shorter at the Sumas and Aldergrove crossings, but still often 30 minutes or more. It wasn't until about 7 p.m. that wait times at all crossings reduced to five minutes in each direction. 

The busy borders were no surprise, coming less than two weeks after Canada eased its pre-entry testing requirement, allowing fully vaccinated Canadians to return home without providing a negative COVID-19 test.

Travellers still have to fill out their vaccination information on the ArriveCAN app.

BC Ferries has also warned passengers to expect a busy weekend, which could mean sailing waits for those without a reservation.

Friday morning and Monday afternoon are expected to be the busiest times for ferry traffic. BC Ferries encouraged travellers without a booking to arrive up to 60 minutes early for their sailing during those periods.

"If you're travelling without a booking, consider travelling as a foot passenger or at less busy times to avoid sailing waits," the company said on Twitter Friday.