Two aging timber bridges on Highway 4 west of Port Alberni will be replaced with wider concrete structures, further improving safety along this important and scenic route to the west coast of Vancouver Island.

A $2.53-million contract has been awarded to Windley Contracting of Nanaimo to replace the Wally Creek Bridge and Lost Shoe Creek Bridge No. 1.

The new concrete bridges will have paved shoulders and concrete barriers, and the bridge approaches will be realigned to improve safety. The new longer bridges will also improve creek flow because of their less restrictive design.

The investment in these two bridges is part of $4.3 million in improvements to Highway 4 this year, which also includes approximately $400,000 in barrier work in the Kennedy Lake area.

Safety has also been enhanced with the addition of a new weather and road advisory system near Kennedy Lake that provides drivers with real-time road condition information by means of overhead changeable message signs.

Quick Facts:

• Wally Creek Bridge is 54 km west of Port Alberni, near Clayoquot Plateau Provincial Park.
• Lost Shoe Creek Bridge No. 1 is 90 km west of Port Alberni, approximately 3 km from the junction of Highway 4 and Ucluelet Road.
• Since 2001, the Province has invested approximately $33 million to improve Highway 4.
• Work to date has included upgrading 15 bridges, resurfacing, improving the road alignment, widening shoulders, and installing roadside barriers.

Learn More:

Pictures of both existing bridges are available on the ministry's Flickr page at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tranbc/sets/72157626962750558/

Follow the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online at: www.tranbc.ca

Contact:

Jeff Knight
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-7707