Construction has finished on a bridge replacement project over Saunders Creek on Highway 28, providing a wider, more dependable crossing with better access for drivers and cyclists for years to come.

“The Saunders Creek bridge needed replacing to ensure the reliability of the Gold River Highway and to improve safety along this vital transportation corridor used by recreational visitors, industry traffic, and North Island communities,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “This $6.5-million project is an excellent example of the commitment we made in our B.C. on the Move plan to provide a 50% increase in investment over previous years towards bridge repairs and replacements.”

Located approximately five kilometres east of Gold River, the original timber bridge was built in 1967. Now, close to five decades later, the bridge had become too narrow and was nearing the end of its service life. The new, modern two-lane bridge is wider and provides additional shoulder space for cyclists. The crossing was also repositioned to provide a straighter alignment with better sight lines for drivers. CMF Construction Ltd. of Nanaimo began work in August 2015 and finished in mid-October 2016.

East of the Saunders Creek bridge, the $3.3-million project to resurface portions of Highway 28 near Buttle Narrows has also just been completed by Wacor Holdings Ltd. of Campbell River.

Learn More:

B.C. on the Move is available online at: www.gov.bc.ca/bconthemove