The Cowichan River bridges in Duncan will be receiving seismic upgrades. Credit: Google Maps
The B.C. government has awarded a $998,900 contract for seismic upgrades on the Cowichan River bridges in Duncan, B.C.
The contract for the Cowichan River bridges’ seismic safety retrofit project was awarded by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to Seismic 2000 Construction Ltd., which is based in Aldergrove B.C. The work will involve replacing the existing bearings on the 77-metre-long twin steel bridges with seismic isolation bearings. The west bridge was built in 1950 and the east bridge was built in 1978. According to Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena, both bridges require both seismic and safety upgrades to bring them up to modern-day standards.
“Retrofitting the existing structures to meet current seismic standards will ensure the Trans-Canada Highway corridor is kept safe and reliable for traffic, cyclists and pedestrians,” Trevena said in a statement.
The work scheduled to begin in late September and be completed in spring 2018. It will involve raising and lowering each bridge, which is located in Duncan on the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately 200 metres north of the Boys Road intersection.
The ministry said during construction, traffic delays will be kept to a minimum, especially during peak periods. There will be intermittent closures of approximately two to four hours overnight and travellers will be diverted over the adjacent bridge. Drivers are asked to pay attention to signs, obey traffic control personnel and watch for workers.
For traffic advisories, visit Drive BC.
Alexa Huffman
