Work has begun on a $2.8-million seismic retrofit and overall rehabilitation project to improve the safety and lifespan of the structure that takes traffic over Highway 1 on Horseshoe Bay Drive.

“Keeping our highways, side roads and bridges in good condition is critical to our transportation network,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “Rehabilitating the Squamish underpass and strengthening it to better withstand an earthquake event is important to help ensure the safety of British Columbians.”

The project includes deck repair, abutment rehabilitation, and bearing replacement. The seismic retrofit will bring the structure up to current engineering standards and involves extending the bridge deck out over the abutments and removing the joints over the piers to create a continuous, stronger deck. As well, steel brackets will be provided at the base of each pier as added reinforcement.

“Both Horseshoe Bay Drive and Highway 1 form important connections for residents, tourists and travellers accessing Whytecliff, Gleneagles, Horseshoe Bay and the ferry terminal,” said West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy. “A seismic upgrade is important for this structure, while at the same time crews can perform routine rehabilitation so the bridge can continue to serve its users for years to come.”

Seismic 2000 Construction Ltd. of Aldergrove began work at the end of February and is expected to finish in June. A temporary construction detour will be required to keep traffic flowing while crews are working on the bridge deck, and during this time, the ramp between Eagleridge roundabout and the Horseshoe Bay / Marine Drive intersection will be converted to accommodate two-way traffic. Drivers are reminded to obey traffic control personnel and construction speed limits, watch for workers and detour signage, and check www.DriveBC.ca for travel updates.

The ministry has invested more than $70 million in bridge seismic retrofit projects since 2001.

This project is part of B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan. Over the next three years, the ministry and its partners are investing over $4.6 billion in priority transportation investments as part of this plan.

Learn More:

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

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