The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will carry out a trial enclosure of the Pat Road pedestrian overpass with light-weight galvanized steel mesh to prevent vandals from throwing objects onto motorists on the Trans-Canada Highway below.

Standard steel meshing, combined with snow and ice loading, make retrofitting pedestrian overpasses with enclosures impractical due to weight increases. However, recent improvements in materials and creative design solutions have enabled the ministry to develop an enclosure solution that is light-weight, strong and protective.

A trial section will be fitted to the pedestrian overpass within the next two weeks and monitored to ensure the creative design works as expected. Should the enclosure prove effective in withstanding snow and ice loading, the ministry will extend the enclosure over the complete overpass, as well as look at other appropriate locations.

Vandalism of this nature is extremely dangerous and has the potential to seriously injure or kill motorists. Reducing the potential for vandals to throw objects off the Pat Road overpass is a big step in improving safety. The ministry urges the public to call police if they witness someone throwing or attempting to throw objects onto the road.

Learn More:

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Contact:

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