New bridge to replace culvert on Highway 16 in B.C.

Work will soon be underway on a project to replace the Kathlyn Creek culvert with a bridge on Highway 16 near Smithers, announced Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

“Replacing the culvert with a bridge will make a big difference for drivers using this part of the highway,” said Stone. “Highway 16 is a key corridor for the transportation of people and goods in Northern B.C. and these improvements will increase the safety and capacity of this crossing and provide a more efficient route for commercial traffic in the region.”

A contract for $1.49 million was awarded to Surespan Construction of North Vancouver. The culvert, which is located approximately 2.5 kilometres west of Smithers, will be replaced with a clear span bridge, improving the fish habitat and fish passage on Kathlyn Creek. A two-lane detour route will be installed for the duration of construction.

The total cost of the project is $3.2 million and completion is scheduled for next spring.

This project is part of B.C. on the Move, the B.C. government’s 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will invest almost $2.7 billion over the next three years to improve British Columbia’s transportation network.