SURREY, B.C. — The elimination of tolls on the Coquihalla highway has brought more truck traffic, but chain-up and brake-check areas haven’t kept pace, truckers say. 

In a joint letter, the B.C. Trucking Association and the B.C. Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (RHCA) are asking the province’s transportation ministry to enlarge existing areas or create new ones.

According to the industry groups, VSA Highway Maintenance information shows that brake check and chain-up areas on the Highway were not large enough to accommodate all the trucks requiring access this past winter.

It was not uncommon to see dozens of trucks parked along the side of the highway waiting to chain up, creating a safety hazard for both the idled truck drivers and passing motorists.

"sufficient space that is properly maintained to allow truck drivers to conduct necessary safety-related tasks would benefit all users of the Coquihalla highway," the letter stated.