Four years after the atmospheric river that caused widespread destruction throughout the Southern Interior, repairs to restore Highway 1 at Tank Hill, 14 kilometres east of Lytton, are now complete.
The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) mainline and the highway underpass at the site were severely impacted, closing the highway for more than two months. A temporary at-grade highway crossing of the CPKC tracks at the site allowed the highway to reopen in January 2022, but motorists encountered frequent delays from passing trains.
Now a three-lane overpass separating highway and rail traffic has been completed and is fully open, although minor traffic delays are to be expected, to allow the final site clean-up to be carried out safely and efficiently.
A parking lot under the east end of the overpass has been constructed, to provide community members with a safe place to leave their vehicles while fishing or hiking in the area.
Ledcor — a member of the Tank Hill Alliance — recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the work at Tank Hill. “The bridge will enhance safety and reliability on the Trans-Canada Highway by eliminating the temporary level crossing and reducing train-related delays,” said a post on Ledcor’s Facebook page.
“Thank you to everyone involved for their hard work and commitment to this vital project.”
As one major project ends, however, another begins. A contractor has been selected for the Sackum Overhead Bridge project on Highway 1, some 22 kilometres east of Lytton and 13 kilometres west of Spences Bridge.
The project will include the design and construction of a modern two-lane bridge over the CPKC mainline, to replace the current bridge, which is approaching the end of its design life. The new bridge will have a 75-year design life, and will be compliant with current design standards and requirements for clearance and protection of rail-crossing structures. It will also provide better accommodation for cyclists and pedestrians.
An additional upgrade at the site will improve safety by realigning a section of the highway east of the bridge. The upgrade will remove a short passing lane that no longer meets standards, and will create a gentler curve, wider and more consistent shoulders, and a new concrete barrier to help prevent vehicles from leaving the road.
Enviro-Ex Contracting has been awarded the $22.6 million contract for the bridge replacement. Construction will start in the coming months, and is expected to be complete in summer 2027.
Another project resulting from the 2021 atmospheric river is replacement of the culvert at Gladwin, 10 kilometres east of Lytton. Construction work began there during the last week of October, and drivers can expect to see more equipment and workers at the site over the next several weeks.
Earlier in October, the Sacred 7 — a group of Elders and Knowledge Keepers from local Nlaka’pamux Nations — led a blessing ceremony before work started on the project. The water blessing, held at Gladwin Creek, included a prayer, a tobacco offering, drumming, and a message from the Elders to the project team.
Drivers can find information about highway closures and delays at www.drivebc.ca.