On Nov. 19, the Salmon River Bridge will be closed for eight hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to allow for the bridge to be moved from its present highway alignment to provide a detour while the new bridge is being constructed.

The bridge, located 27 kilometres north of Prince George on Highway 97, is being replaced to handle the increase in commercial traffic. With a wider span and greater load capacity, the new bridge will support the movement of heavy loads required to service the resource sectors in the north. Removing the height restriction will also make it more accessible for oversized loads.

During the temporary closure, plans will be in place to allow emergency services access across the bridge in the event of an emergency. Once the bridge is relocated, it will form a two-lane detour which will remain in effect until the new bridge is completed. There may also be some short periods of single-lane alternating traffic during the start and end of the construction phase.

The new bridge will have two full lanes and highway shoulders, as well as a pedestrian crossing. Work is scheduled for completion in fall 2017.

Motorists are advised to visit DriveBC at www.drivebc.ca before they head out on their journeys.