UPDATE (Dec.13): The bridge was re-opened in both directions later Monday afternoon.
Ice shards falling off Alex Fraser Bridge shut down the busy span Monday afternoon — it’s the second time the bridge has been closed in the past three days.
The Ministry of Transportation says they are temporarily closing the bridge, which connects Richmond and New Westminster with North Delta, for public safety reasons.
“This full bridge closure is necessary to protect the travelling public due to snow build-up on the cables and warming temperatures,” said the ministry in a statement. “There is an increased likelihood that snow or ice may shed from the cables into all of the travel lanes. Therefore, as a precaution, the ministry has closed the bridge to traffic.”
At this time, it’s not clear when the bridge will re-open.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone said in the 30-year history of the Alex Fraser Bridge, they’ve never had to close it.
WATCH: Minister of Transportation Todd Stone spoke with Global News Monday to address safety concerns related to falling ice on the Alex Fraser and Port Mann Bridges.
However Stone told CJFC that the Lower Mainland is “in the midst of some extraordinary weather conditions” which prompted the closure of the Alex Fraser Bridge on Saturday and to ensure public safety, the bridge was closed again on Monday.
Global BC chopper captured images of ice shards falling from the bridge on a fly-over Monday afternoon.
Drivers are being encouraged to use alternate routes.
Stone said the ministry will need to look at long-term removal system solutions for the Alex Fraser, perhaps similar to the ones in place on the Port Mann Bridge, which has not been closed due to falling ice and snow.
WATCH: Todd Stone addresses safety concerns of Lower Mainland bridges
The wintry weather prompted the first closure of the bridge on Saturday morning, but the bridge was re-opened around 5:30 p.m. The ministry said 55 claims were filed by drivers hit by ice and snow on the bridge on Monday, when the snow first blanketed the region.
READ MORE: Windshields shattered after ice bombs fall from Metro Vancouver bridges
Global BC meteorologist Mark Madryga says after a rapid dump of snow overnight, drier air was steadily slipping into the region Monday morning and ice conditions may persist for some time.
“Colder Arctic air is surging through the province, and will be dominant for the next several days through all parts of B.C.,” Madryga said. “In the Lower Mainland, the snow that fell overnight will only partly melt today as the temperature struggles to plus 2 or 3 degrees. Icy conditions will return tonight as the mercury falls to -4 by Tuesday morning.”
Clear and colder weather will hold for a few days, with overnight temperatures in Metro Vancouver expected to drop to as low as -9 by Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
The chilly weather will hold into the upcoming weekend.
Commuters can check www.drivebc.ca for up-to-date traffic information.