Major construction will begin in early October on the project to replace the Vedder Bridge and upgrade the Vedder/Chilliwack Lake Road intersection.

The existing two-lane bridge over the Vedder River will be replaced with a new two-lane structure that will incorporate shoulders and multi-use pathways to improve safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists. Both the north and south approaches to the bridge will also be updated. Additionally, a new single-lane roundabout will modernize the junction of Vedder Road and Chilliwack Lake Road and improve traffic flow.

The new bridge is being built to the side of the existing bridge, so traffic will be minimally affected during construction. However, the work will require the full closure of the Rotary Trail parking lot. Trail users are encouraged to use the recently expanded Vedder Park parking lot, accessible off Petawawa Road.

Preliminary work, including the relocation of utilities, has already begun. A major construction works contract valued at $11,331,000 was awarded to Emil Anderson Construction, with preparatory work getting underway in August. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2017.

The Government of Canada will provide up to $4,187,916 through the Small Communities Fund for the project. The Province of British Columbia will also contribute up to $4,187,916, with the City of Chilliwack responsible for all remaining costs of the project. The total estimated cost for this project is $12,563,750.

Through the Small Communities Fund, the governments of Canada and British Columbia are working in partnership to provide funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs in communities across the province that have fewer than 100,000 residents. These investments support job creation and economic growth, thus sustaining a high quality of life in small communities across British Columbia for years to come.

Quotes:

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities –

“Traffic congestion and gridlock cost Canada’s economy billions of dollars in lost productivity each year, damage our environment, and make it harder for people to get to work and for families to spend time together. While the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of investing in public infrastructure to create growth for the middle class, projects like this new bridge and road upgrades will increase safety and better meet the needs of the residents of Chilliwack now and well into the future.”

Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope, on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Minster Todd Stone –

“The bridge over the Vedder River is an important piece of transportation infrastructure for our community. The new Vedder Bridge, with the inclusion of multi-use pathways, will improve access to the Vedder/Rotary Trail for area residents, and its wider design, along with associated intersection improvements, will improve traffic flow in the area and make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.”

Sharon Gaetz, mayor, City of Chilliwack –

“We would like to thank the provincial and federal governments for contributing significant funding towards this important infrastructure improvement. Our residents are eagerly anticipating the new Vedder Bridge and roundabout, which will improve traffic flow and increase safety for all users.”

Learn More:

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada’s new $120 billion infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/index-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/bc-eng.html

Have your say on infrastructure: infraconsults.ca

To learn more about the Small Communities Fund, please visit: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/sc-cp-eng.html

Learn more about the Small Communities Fund at work in British Columbia: www.gov.bc.ca/smallcommunitiesfund

Ongoing updates on this project will be posted at: www.chilliwack.com/vedderbridge