People travelling on the Trans-Canada Highway between Glacier National Park and Golden will see work start this spring to replace the bridge crossing at Quartz Creek.

The tender has been issued for the Quartz Creek Bridge project to replace the aging two-lane bridge crossing at Quartz Creek, 40 km west of Golden, with a new four-lane bridge. This portion of the Highway 1 Kamloops-to-Alberta program also includes widening 4.4 km of two-lane highway to four lanes and access improvements to forest service roads in the area.

“It is important to see this project move a step closer to getting under way,” said Catherine McKenna, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “Replacing the Quartz Creek Bridge and widening this part of the Trans-Canada Highway will improve driver safety while supporting trade and a strong regional economy. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”

Construction is anticipated to begin this spring. Once complete, this project will improve safety, reliability and mobility for people using this section of Highway 1, including commercial truck drivers carrying goods.

“The Quartz Creek Bridge project will upgrade the reliability of the highway by improving safety and reducing incidents for people travelling in the region and benefiting businesses moving goods along this important trade corridor,” said Rob Fleming, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “This project also brings good-paying jobs and the opportunity for local workers to be hired through the Community Benefits Agreement.”

The Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is designed to maximize opportunities to develop and grow the skilled labour workforce in the province. The CBA prioritizes hiring and re-hiring local workers, Indigenous peoples, women, people with disabilities and members of other under-represented groups who are qualified to do the work in a safe, welcoming environment. It increases opportunities for apprentices to work on site and gain the experience they need to move toward completing their certification.

Provincial construction sites have protocols and policies in place following the requirements of the provincial health officer to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures include physical distancing and other protocols to ensure worker and public safety.

Learn More:

Highway 1 four-laning program: http://www.bchwy1.ca/

Quartz Creek Bridge project:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation-projects/highway1-kamloops-alberta/quartz-creek-bridge

Job opportunities for the Quartz Creek Bridge project: https://www.bcib.ca/

For the most up-to-date highway travel information, check @DriveBC on Twitter.
Or visit: DriveBC.ca

For travel restrictions and precautions due to COVID-19, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/travellerinformation/travel-affected-by-covid-19

A backgrounder follows.