The stretch of highway between Pritchard and Hoffman's Bluff put to tender this week.
Image Credit: SOURCE/Government of B.C.
February 26, 2013 - 11:16 AM
By Jennifer Stahn
After announcing earlier this month that work on the twinning of Highway 1 east of Kamloops would move forward this year the federal government has put the first phase of a 6.1-km. segment between Monte Creek and Pritchard to tender.
Phase one will see three kilometres of the stretch between Pritchard and Hoffman's Bluff widened from two lanes to four as well as an upgraded intersection. A median with barrier will be put in place to divide the highway and the shoulders will be 2.5 metres wide with rumble strips. That phase is expected to take approximately 14 months to complete. Phase two will see the final 3.1 kilometres widened and is expected to go to tender next year and has a two year timeline for construction.
MLA Kevin Krueger, Kamloops-South Thompson, said he has long been working with his constituents to move the highway improvements forward and believes they will help “prevent such collisions as have occurred in the area. This is an exciting, major next step.”
Public information sessions have already been held in Kamloops, Chase, Salmon Arm and Sicamous while Revelstoke and Golden will host sessions this week. An online form is also being used to gather public feedback through March 1.
The total cost of the Pritchard to Hoffman's Bluff project is $61.6 million with the federal government contributing up to $26.9 million through the Building Canada Fund. The provincial government plans on investing $650 million over 10 years to improve the highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border. Seven projects are under development while 11 have already been completed.
To contact the reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call (250) 819-3723.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013