This morning's pile-ups on the Port Mann Bridge damaged at least 40 vehicles, and hurt one person enough to warrant a trip to emergency.
Police are investigating whether heavy fog and ice are to blame.
Max Logan with the Transportation Investment Corporation, the body responsible for the bridge, says the crossing was sprayed with de-icing solution at 4 a.m. yesterday that should have lasted at least 48 hours.
"The bridge was monitored overnight, last night, a total of six times between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. But despite those efforts, the concentration of that saltwater brine solution was not sufficient and ice did accumulate on the bridge deck. We have told the maintenance contractor that brine application every 48 hours is not sufficient. Moving forward, the brine must be applied at a minimum of once per day."
Mainroad Contracting has also been ordered to use crystalized salt on the deck.
Logan says tolls will not be refunded or waived, as they were a few weeks ago when ice fell from bridge cables and damaged cars, because the bridge remained open this morning. The bridge had been closed during the "ice bomb" incident.
As for overnight, with freezing rain and sub-zero temperatures in the forecast, Logan says the maintenance contractor has been told to do what it takes to prevent more crashes, "There will be salt that is applied to the bridge at least two times overnight, maybe three or more depending on the conditions. But as always, we encourage drivers to slow down. They should recognize that these are winter conditions. Even with salt across the whole bridge and highway, you can still encounter an icy patch."
He says staff will also visually check the bridge cables for ice buildup. He adds the corporation will not pick up costs or insurance deductibles for drivers who crashed in this morning's commute.
(Photo: Global News)