The Highway 19 crossing of the Campbell River will be improved for people travelling southbound near the key junctions of Highways 28 and 19A, with work beginning this week.

“The Campbell River bridge is integral to our highway infrastructure on the North Island, and I’m happy to see these long-needed repairs are getting underway,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Local residents can rest assured that this work will make the bridge safer and more earthquake-resistant, so it will continue providing a reliable connection for the North Island for years to come.”

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has awarded a $2.56-million contract to Seismic 2000 Construction Ltd. of Aldergrove. The contract includes installing new seismic bearings, replacing deck joints, recoating structural components, and repairing structural steel and concrete. The total estimated cost of the project is $2.9 million.

The two-lane steel truss bridge was built in 1952. Previous repairs included modifying the bracing for additional overhead clearance in 1976, and resurfacing the deck in 1980. In 1998, the bridge was converted to one-way for southbound traffic, when the adjacent Tamarac Street bridge opened to carry northbound vehicles.

Work is scheduled to begin mid-June, and finish in fall 2018. Travellers are asked to obey traffic control personnel and watch for workers throughout the project.

During construction, motorists will continue to have one through lane, with the exception of short closures. Traffic advisories will be posted on changeable message signs, and online: www.DriveBC.ca