MALAKWA, B.C. – A new four-lane bridge at Malakwa on the Trans Canada Highway will make the crossing safer, according to the local MLA.
“This upgrade to the Trans-Canada Highway will improve the safety and reliability of this important commercial trade route,” says Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo. “Replacement of
the old, narrow bridge will eliminate this pinch point for traffic and provide increased clearances for commercial vehicles.”
The 60-year-old two-lane Malakwa Bridge, east of Sicamous, will be replaced with a $16.4 million dollar four-lane structure.
“The replacement of the Malakwa Bridge will make travel safer and more efficient for motorists along the Trans-Canada highway,” says Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes.
Highway 1 will further be widened in the area of the bridge and a centre median barrier added. Malakwa will get two new protected intersections accessing the Trans Canada at Hickson Road and at the access of Ackerman and Delaney.
The total cost of all the infrastructure improvements is $35 million.
While the Government of Canada is spending $13 million on the project, the Province of B.C. is providing $22 million, part of a $650 million investment over 10 years to improve Highway 1 between Kamloops and the Alberta border.
Between 6-11,000 vehicles cross the Malakwa Bridge every day, with commercial vehicles making up about 30 per cent of all traffic.
Construction will begin in August and is anticipated to be complete by the summer of 2016.
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