Early morning commuters used to taking the Old Kootenay Channel Bridge may need to detour along West Creston Road next week, when the bridge will be closed to traffic from 6-7 a.m. April 10-15.
Seismic 2000 Construction Ltd., the general contractor for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, will spend about six months on the project, which involves rehabilitation of the bridge substructure, deck patching and joint replacement.
As part of the process, sections will be jacked and shifted now and July 13.
“During jacking activities, it is necessary to implement a full closure of the structure,” project manager Grant Langton said in a press release.
Two 20-minute closures will also take place intermittently each day from April 16-July 13, while bridge bearings are replaced, with pieces being raised and lowered onto temporary, and then permanent bearings.
Traffic is currently reduced to single-lane alternating traffic, and temporary traffic signals began operating on April 1. Seismic plans to keep the public informed to make travel easier during the construction.
“We will issue further notice prior to us commencing these short duration closures with a view to providing the travelling public with a regular schedule of closures,” said Langton.
