People travelling along the Trans-Canada Highway through Golden will soon see more crews working to convert the last 4.8 kilometres of narrow, winding two-lane road to a modern four-lane standard.

The work will improve the safety, capacity and reliability of the highway through the Kicking Horse Canyon.

Work on the Kicking Horse Canyon Phase 4 construction project will require a month-long closure of Highway 1 through the canyon just east of Golden during the spring 2021 shoulder season. This closure will allow crews to proceed with work that cannot be carried out safely during shorter interruptions, such as major excavation, piling and hauling.

From April 12 to May 14, through traffic on Highway 1 from Golden to Castle Junction will be routed via highways 93 and 95. This will add up to 1.5 hours of travel time. Roadside signage will provide advance notification of the closure and alternative routes will also have signage.

The construction zone will be opened briefly to local/commuter traffic twice daily, escorted by a pilot vehicle during one half-hour period beginning at 7 a.m. and one half-hour period beginning at 4:30 p.m. Similar escorts will be provided for school buses so students will have uninterrupted access to school. Emergency vehicles in response mode will be provided escorted passage on short notice.

The closure is part of a traffic-management strategy developed in consultation with the community and key stakeholders. This strategy is designed to minimize travel disruptions during the peak summer and winter travel periods by having as much work as possible done at night and other off-peak periods.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure appreciates people’s patience during the work. Drivers are reminded to obey construction zone speed limits and the directions of traffic personnel. Updates on delays will be available online at: DriveBC.ca

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.

This project is being delivered under the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) and 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.

Learn More:

For more information on this project, visit: www.kickinghorsecanyon.ca

For job opportunities for the Kicking Horse Canyon four-laning project, visit: 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-andcycling/travellerinformation/travel-affected-by-covid-19