The latest winter storm caused traffic mayhem in the Lower Mainland Friday, stranding thousands of Boxing Day shoppers and airline passengers, as they tried to reach destinations. Many were out of luck.
As WestJet and Air Canada delayed or cancelled flights from Vancouver International Airport Friday, passengers were being advised to check the YVR website before setting out to the airport.
Related links: Air Canada.
Related links: WestJet
Meanwhile, at around 5:30 p.m., Friday, Burnaby RCMP said about 8,000 people were gathered on the platform of the Metrotown SkyTrain station even though the train was shut down.
Police told the stranded commuters to find another way home, even though conditions on the roads between Vancouver and Hope were treacherous
Some of the hardest hit areas were located in the Fraser Valley, where poor road conditions were being blamed for rollovers and lineups.
Highway One at Clearbrook Road was particularly bad, and it wasn't much better around the Fraser Highway. Police told commuters to avoid the area near 203 Street in Langley.
At supper time Friday, Police were warning people to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Unfortunately there were few other options for people to get around. Buses had been struggling all day, and were behind schedule.
The SkyTrain system has also experienced a lot of problems. Both the Expo and Millennium lines were shut down for periods on Friday because of ice in the switches.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Jon Woodward
