Work is about to begin to replace the Clanwilliam Bridge over the Canadian Pacific mainline west of Revelstoke. The new bridge and widening of the adjacent highway will improve the safety of the Trans-Canada Highway through the area.

A new four-lane crossing will be constructed to replace the existing two-lane bridge, located 10 km west of Revelstoke. As part of the project, the bridge approaches will also be straightened to improve sightlines, and approximately 2.3 km of Highway 1 leading up to the Clanwilliam Bridge will be reconstructed and widened to four lanes.

The Trans-Canada Highway is an important trade corridor, providing access for the Asia-Pacific market to the rest of Canada. Widening this portion of the Trans-Canada Highway to four lanes will improve the safe movement of goods to and through British Columbia.

A contract has been awarded to Arthon Contractors Inc. Work is scheduled to begin in mid-July and expected to be completed in fall 2012.

The $29-million project is being jointly funded by British Columbia and Canada. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $14 million to this project with the Province providing the remainder of the funding. Federal investment is provided through the Building Canada Fund to support economic growth in British Columbia and across Canada.

Quick Facts:

• The Clanwilliam Bridge is 111 metres long.
• It is estimated over 180 direct jobs will be created over the life of the project.
• The Trans-Canada Highway corridor in British Columbia is heavily used by tourists with traffic volumes peaking in summer months when they range from 10,000 to 15,000 vehicles per day.
• Along with tourist vehicles, commercial carriers make up a large proportion of traffic along this section of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Learn More:

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

View pictures of the existing Clanwilliam Bridge at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tranbc/sets/72157626999297155/

Contacts:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement (GCPE)
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

Media Relations
Transport Canada
Ottawa
613 993-0055

Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Ottawa
613 991-0700