B.C. to start permanent Highway 1 repairs

HOPE, B.C. – The Government of British Columbia is set to start permanent repairs of flood-damaged sections of Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon.

Contracts for development and early construction work have been awarded to Eurovia VINCI Team of Companies (ECV Group) for repairs to the Falls Creek Bridge, 55 kilometres south of Spences Bridge; Ledcor CMI Ltd. for repairs to the Tank Hill Crossing, 23 kilometres south of Spences Bridge; and Kiewit Infrastructure BC ULC for repairs to the Nicomen River Bridge, 19 kilometres south of Spences Bridge.

“We have made exceptional progress in restoring our highway networks from November’s storms, and these contract awards are another significant step. Over the last year, I have witnessed the remarkable dedication of our ministry staff, contractors, Indigenous and municipal leaders, and people from all walks of life who have come together to support the recovery from the unprecedented floods,” B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming said in a statement.  

The projects will be completed through a “collaborative construction model where the ministry and contractor work together to complete the design and construction of the project, including sharing risks and incentives,” the release stated.

Construction will begin this fall with substantial completion expected by 2024.

Early repair work for flood-damaged sections of the Coquihalla (Highway 5) are also underway at Bottletop Bridges, Juliet Bridges and Jessica Bridges with work expected to be substantially complete by this winter, the release stated.

Crews are also making progress on Highway 8 with residents able to return home and the highway expected to be open to the public before the end of 2022.

Highway 1 was closed to regular vehicle traffic on Nov. 15, 2021, due to damage caused by flooding as the province was hit by a massive atmospheric river. Flooding and washouts associated with the November rains damaged 18 sites along the Highway 1 corridor between Hope and Spences Bridge, including two bridges, one CP Rail underpass, two major culverts and 13 additional washouts.

More than 150 workers using 80 pieces of equipment moved more than 150,000 cubic metres of gravel, rock and other material to repair and reopen Highway 1 to vehicle traffic on Jan. 14, 2022, (Lytton to Spences Bridge), and Jan. 24, 2022 (Lytton to Boston Bar), the release said.