A contract valued at $1.98 million has been awarded for work to improve the reliability of Highway 37 north of Bell 2 Lodge.

“In northwestern B.C., Highway 37 is an important lifeline that connects communities, and this culvert work will help ensure the highway’s reliability,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena.

“Replacing the old, inefficient culvert at Gamma Creek and armouring the bank of Ningunsaw River will help reduce the potential for washouts at this location and protect a highway on which many British Columbians rely,” said Stikine MLA Doug Donaldson.

Western Watershed Designs Inc. of Delta will replace a 44-year-old, undersized steel pipe culvert under Highway 37 at Gamma Creek with a new concrete box culvert. The old culvert is regularly affected by debris flows, and a new structure at this location will improve highway reliability.

The new culvert will allow Gamma Creek to flow more freely. The banks of the Ningunsaw River alongside Highway 37 at Gamma Creek will be reinforced as part of this project to help protect the highway.  

The project is located on Highway 37 approximately 35 kilometres north of Bell 2 Lodge, and 130 kilometres north of Meziadin Junction. Work on the project is scheduled to start in late September and is expected to be completed by the end of May 2018. Motorists can expect single-lane alternating traffic during active construction.