Commercial Vehicle Crossing Tracks
NOTE: AS OF MAY 9, 2019 THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN DEFERRED DUE TO ESCALATING COSTS.
See: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019TRAN0070-000906
While the project has been deferred, safety improvements will be made in summer 2019, including upgrades to guardrails to meet current engineering standards, more visual cues for drivers like speed reader boards, and upgrades to advance flashing signs.
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The last level rail crossing on Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and the Alberta border is being removed.
The estimated $37 million project is being funded by the provincial and federal governments and includes realigning approximately two kilometres of Highway 16 and replacing the current level rail crossing with a new 120-metre-long bridge to carry traffic over the CN railway line. When the S-curve crossing and the potential rail/road traffic conflicts are eliminated, drivers will no longer need to slow down from 100km/h to 40 km/h to safely cross. The project also includes wider driving lanes and shoulders, and extensive rock bolting to minimize rock fall hazards in order to improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
The design avoids rare mature and old growth forests, and minimizes impacts to mountain goat wintering and kidding areas, moose winter range habitat, and nesting bird zones near the construction site. In addition, the design does not impact the Skeena River, and provides for environmental enhancements such as the provision of two culverts to increase access to rearing and refuge habitat for juvenile fish. When construction is completed, the original highway alignment will be decommissioned and replanted to restore normal riverside vegetation along the Skeena River.
The design was finalized following two open houses held in July 2016, and reflects consultation efforts with First Nations, key stakeholders, and the public. As such, the traffic management plan has been tailored to address feedback received regarding closures of Highway 16 and the availability of the Andesite Creek boat launch during blasting and pile driving activities. The ministry continues to work collaboratively with communities and all stakeholders as the project moves into the construction phase.
The tender is expected to be posted on BC Bid by the end of 2016 and the Province expects to select the contractor in January 2017. The project will likely begin construction in spring 2017 and be completed in summer 2019.
Commercial Vehicle Crossing Tracks
NOTE: AS OF MAY 9, 2019 THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN DEFERRED DUE TO ESCALATING COSTS.
See: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019TRAN0070-000906
While the project has been deferred, safety improvements will be made in summer 2019, including upgrades to guardrails to meet current engineering standards, more visual cues for drivers like speed reader boards, and upgrades to advance flashing signs.
____________________________________
The last level rail crossing on Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and the Alberta border is being removed.
The estimated $37 million project is being funded by the provincial and federal governments and includes realigning approximately two kilometres of Highway 16 and replacing the current level rail crossing with a new 120-metre-long bridge to carry traffic over the CN railway line. When the S-curve crossing and the potential rail/road traffic conflicts are eliminated, drivers will no longer need to slow down from 100km/h to 40 km/h to safely cross. The project also includes wider driving lanes and shoulders, and extensive rock bolting to minimize rock fall hazards in order to improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
The design avoids rare mature and old growth forests, and minimizes impacts to mountain goat wintering and kidding areas, moose winter range habitat, and nesting bird zones near the construction site. In addition, the design does not impact the Skeena River, and provides for environmental enhancements such as the provision of two culverts to increase access to rearing and refuge habitat for juvenile fish. When construction is completed, the original highway alignment will be decommissioned and replanted to restore normal riverside vegetation along the Skeena River.
The design was finalized following two open houses held in July 2016, and reflects consultation efforts with First Nations, key stakeholders, and the public. As such, the traffic management plan has been tailored to address feedback received regarding closures of Highway 16 and the availability of the Andesite Creek boat launch during blasting and pile driving activities. The ministry continues to work collaboratively with communities and all stakeholders as the project moves into the construction phase.
The tender is expected to be posted on BC Bid by the end of 2016 and the Province expects to select the contractor in January 2017. The project will likely begin construction in spring 2017 and be completed in summer 2019.