Permanent repairs to flood-damaged sections of the Coquihalla Highway and the Trans-Canada Highway are slated to start this summer with a contractor now selected, says the Ministry of Transportation.
In a Thursday morning statement, the ministry said the contract for development and early construction work on sections of the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt has been awarded to KEA5, a joint venture between Peter Kiewit and Sons and Emil Anderson Construction.
Construction will take place starting this summer at Bottletop Bridge, 50 kilometres south of Merritt; Juliet Bridge, three kilometres south of Bottletop; and Jessica Bridge, 48 kilometres south of Juliet.
The province offered assurances that efforts will be made to minimize traffic disruptions during peak travel hours.
It is expected to be largely complete by winter, the ministry said.
“Following the extraordinary work that was done to reconnect these highways in December, we’re building back permanent infrastructure that will be equipped to better withstand the impacts of climate change and future extreme weather events,” Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure, said in the press release.
A request for proposals has also been issued for damaged sections along Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon, including permanent repairs needed at Falls Creek Bridge, 55 kilometres south of Spences Bridge; Tank Hill Crossing, 23 kilometres south of Spences Bridge; and Nicomen River Bridge, 19 kilometres south of Spences Bridge.
The request for proposals for the project will close on Sept. 14.
Highway 5 was closed to regular vehicle traffic on Nov. 14, 2021, due to damage caused by an atmospheric river.
More than 20 sites along 130 kilometres of the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt were affected, including seven bridges where spans completely collapsed or were heavily damaged.