Article content
More than three years of detours, lane closures and other disruptions will come to an end this summer with the completion of all work on the Kicking Horse Canyon section of the Trans-Canada Highway, say B.C. government officials.
Final work consisting of line painting, paving, wildlife fencing and landscaping began Tuesday on phase 4 of the Kicking Horse Canyon Project, with motorists told they can expect lane reductions and two-minute stoppages throughout the spring.
Article content
But the long-sought completion of the expansion along the vertigo-inducing, avalanche-prone 4.8-kilometre stretch of highway will finally be realized during the height of this year’s travelling season, a spokesman with the B.C. said the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“June 25th is the last closure of Highway 1 currently scheduled for final touches to Phase 4 of the Kicking Horse Canyon Project,” the ministry said in an email, adding traffic will be reduced to two lanes at 50 km/h with some evening stoppages into July.
“The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure anticipates all work to be completed by mid-summer.”
That would bring to an end a massive, 21-year project modernizing 21 km of often narrow, winding roadway east of Golden. B.C.. which during the summer carries 10,000 vehicles daily — 30 per cent of that economically crucial commercial traffic.
It’s work that’s seen detours sending traffic along Highways 93S and 95 that added some 90 minutes to the journey.
But the upgrade will end decades of a white-knuckled mountain chokepoint along the nation’s most crucial asphalt artery.
Article content
The full four lanes along the phase 4 stretch opened to traffic at the end of November 2023, with final touch-up work on the section waiting until the spring of this year.
“Full closures of up to two hours are scheduled for April 3, April 15, April 29 and May 13, as well as early mornings on June 10, June 11, June 24 and June 25,” says the ministry.
The $601-million phase 4 represents the most technically challenging stage and realigns 13 curves while widening the highway from two to four lanes, a median barrier and shoulders for cyclists.
It’s work that’s also reducing the rock fall hazard with bridges and catchment ditches, says the B.C. government.
“Wildlife exclusion fencing and wildlife passage opportunities to reduce vehicle-animal collisions” has also been added, the government says on a project overview website.
X (Twitter) @BillKaufmannjrn
Share this article in your social network
