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Malakwa Bridge and 4-lane highway completed in time for summer traffic

News Release

June 24, 2016 – Malakwa, British Columbia

Highway travelers in or through Malakwa will have a safer drive along the Trans-Canada Highway as the construction to replace the Malakwa Bridge and 4-laning has finished ahead of schedule. The heavily used route is British Columbia's main gateway to the rest of Canada, and is vital to sustaining travel, tourism and trade.

Located approximately 20 kilometres east of Sicamous, this project included widening 2.7 kilometres of Highway 1 from two to four lanes with centre median barriers, 2.5-metre-wide paved shoulders, and rumble strips to improve safety for all travellers, including cyclists and pedestrians.

A modern four-lane bridge has replaced the old 1950s era bridge with one that accommodates wider and higher trucks, supporting Canada's Pacific Gateway, which is critical for the safe and efficient movement of goods across key trade corridors.

Through this project, the residents and business in the community of Malakwa now have 1.8 kilometre of new local roads with access to the highway through two new protected “T” intersections. These will provide drivers with a lane to wait in before safely turning both on and off the highway. Additional safety enhancements included the construction of larger pullout areas with new lighting for the school bus stop, the community mailboxes and vehicle turnarounds.

The Government of Canada committed up to $13 million for this project through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component. The Province of British Columbia provided the remaining funding for this $35 million project.

This investment generated approximately 170 direct jobs. At the peak of construction, there were up to 50 workers onsite when paving, bridge and road crews were all working together. An average day on the project saw just over 20 workers on site. The average daily traffic volumes are about 6,000 vehicles per day. This number spikes in the summer to nearly 11,000 vehicles per day.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada recognizes that strategic investments in public infrastructure help connect people, create jobs, and support economic development in our communities. It is thanks to these initiatives and projects like the Malakwa Bridge and 4 lane highway that Canadian communities will remain among the best places in the world to live, work and raise a family."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi,
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"With our federal partner, we have improved the safety and reliability of one of our most important commercial trade routes, and with local First Nations, we were able to create additional fish habitat in the Eagle River. This upgrade to the Trans-Canada Highway at Malakwa is part of B.C.'s 10 year, $650 million commitment through to 2022 to continue four-lane improvements to the Trans-Canada between Kamloops and the Alberta border that is creating 3,300 jobs for B.C. families."

The Honourable Todd Stone,
B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

"Through the Malakwa Bridge and 4-laning project, local residents now have safer access on and off the highway, and our summer visitors also have a safer, more reliable route as they travel between communities and enjoy the many recreational opportunities in the area."

Greg Kyllo,
MLA for Shuswap

Associated Links

Contacts

Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
Brook.Simpson@Canada.ca

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

Connect with the Province of B.C.

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web site: Infrastructure Canada


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