No. H061/11
For release - July 15, 2011
REVELSTOKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Work is about to begin to replace the Clanwilliam Bridge over the Canadian Pacific Railway mainline west of Revelstoke. The new bridge and widening of the adjacent highway will improve the safety of the Trans-Canada Highway through the area.
A new four-lane crossing will be constructed to replace the existing two-lane bridge, located 10 kilometres (km) west of Revelstoke. As part of the project, the bridge approaches will also be straightened to improve sightlines, and approximately 2.3 km of Highway 1 leading up to the Clanwilliam Bridge will be reconstructed and widened to four lanes.
The Trans-Canada Highway is an important trade corridor, providing access for the Asia-Pacific market to the rest of Canada. Widening this portion of the Trans-Canada Highway to four lanes will make it safer to move goods to and through British Columbia.
A contract has been awarded to Arthon Contractors Inc. Work will begin in mid-July and be completed in fall 2012.
The $29-million project is being jointly funded by Canada and British Columbia. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $14 million to this project, with the province providing the remainder of the funding. Federal investment is provided through the Building Canada Fund to support economic growth in British Columbia and across Canada.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to invest in this important project that will bring many benefits to communities along this corridor,” said David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia. “Together with the Government of British Columbia, we are working to improve safety, reduce congestion, create jobs and promote long-term economic growth in the region.”
“The Trans-Canada Highway is a vital link between B.C. and the rest of Canada, and this project is part of our strategy to increase the safety and improve the reliability of this trade corridor,” said the Honourable Blair Lekstrom, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “This work is important for commercial drivers and tourists travelling this route, and for residents and businesses in Revelstoke and the surrounding area.”
Quick Facts:
- The Clanwilliam Bridge is 111 metres long.
- It is estimated over 180 direct jobs will be created over the life of the project.
- The Trans-Canada Highway corridor in British Columbia is heavily used by tourists, with traffic volumes peaking in summer, when they range from 10,000 to 15,000 vehicles per day.
- Along with tourist vehicles, commercial carriers make up a large proportion of traffic along this section of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Learn More:
Follow the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online at www.tranbc.ca.
View pictures of the existing Clanwilliam Bridge at www.flickr.com/photos/tranbc/sets/72157626999297155/
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