The Port Mann Bridge is closed as a result of conditions brought by Metro Vancouver's winter storm warning.
B.C. government officials are alerting drivers and commuters there's a risk of ice falling from cables onto vehicles that cross the Coquitlam-Surrey connector.
There's no estimated timeline on when the Highway 1 bridge will re-open.
"To ensure public safety, the bridge has been closed to traffic until conditions improve with warming weather," reads a provincial news release issued at 10:45 a.m. today (Dec. 23).
At the same time, according to Coquitlam RCMP, parts of the Highway 1 stretch through Coquitlam is closed as crews work to plow and salt the roads.
"Drivers are asked to allow room for emergency services to pass in order to close access to the bridge and assist with public safety," the Lower Mainland District of BC Transportation said in a social media post.
DriveBC has listed Highway 1 detours in either direction for those that would normally need the Port Mann Bridge.
For eastbound commuters, this includes using the Mary Hill Bypass through Port Coquitlam to Lougheed Highway.
For westbound, the provincial service suggests the 160th interchange to 104th Avenue, or alternate routes via Highways 15 and 17.
Crews have also closed the Alex Fraser Bridge as freezing rain has caused "rapidly deteriorating" and slippery conditions.
Residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel, except for emergencies.
For more information and updates on road conditions, you're encouraged to visit DriveBC's website.
You can visit TransLink's website for transit alerts and detours to see if your day-to-day commute has changed as a result of the closures.
Winter storm warning
Environment Canada's winter storm warning is predicted to last until tomorrow (Dec. 24).
As of 5 a.m. today, Metro Vancouver's current forecast calls for freezing rain to continue while a Pacific frontal system moves over the region, combined with an Arctic airmass dropping temperatures to double negatives.
"As freezing levels rise, snow mixed with ice pellets will change to rain tonight over most regions," the national agency explained.
Meteorologists are expecting conditions to change to heavy rain by Saturday, bringing down as much as 40 mm along with winds that could gust up to 40 km/h.
Christmas Eve temperatures could reach a high of 7 C.
More to come...
