Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction started this week on a new overheight-detection system designed to prevent trucks and other tall vehicles from striking an overpass along Highway 1 in Chilliwack.
According to the provincial government, the system will use a combination of beam-break sensors, radar, cameras and flashing beacons to detect vehicles that exceed the height limit. Drivers will receive an early warning so they can divert before reaching the overpass.
“Overheight collisions are entirely preventable,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “This new system will help ensure overheight commercial drivers get advanced warning before reaching the overpass.
“By combining proven detection tools with stronger enforcement methods, we are taking action to reduce the number of strikes and keep people and goods moving safely.”
The No. 3 Road site was selected as a test location for the multi-technology system after multiple incidents damaged the structure and disrupted traffic. Since 2021, the overpass has been struck six times, resulting in costly repairs and extended road closures.
Industry representatives say preventing such incidents is critical to maintaining safe and reliable transportation corridors.
“Preventing overpass strikes is a shared priority for industry and government,” said Dave Earle of the BC Trucking Association. “Commercial carriers move over 90 per cent of the goods that keep British Columbia’s economy running, and when infrastructure is damaged, it creates safety risks and major disruptions for all road users. Combined with proper training and ongoing enforcement, this type of investment supports safer highways and a more reliable transportation network for the movement of goods.”
The system is part of the province’s broader strategy to reduce infrastructure strikes and improve highway safety. Measures introduced in recent years include speed limiter devices for heavy commercial vehicles and in-cab warning devices for dump-style trucks capable of rising above 4.15 metres.
Enhanced enforcement has also been introduced. Since December 2021, the province has suspended more than 45 carriers under investigation and issued more than $66,000 in violation tickets to drivers and carriers involved in infrastructure collisions.
The project has a budget of $2 million, funded through the province’s 2025-26 Intelligent Transportation Systems program.
Provincial data indicates the number of infrastructure collisions dropped from 29 in 2024 to 17 in 2025. The province also introduced new safety requirements and penalties for commercial vehicle-related infrastructure strikes in 2024, while proper measurement of vehicle and load height is now included in mandatory entry-level training for Class 1 drivers.
