Cost to widen Highway 1 through Kicking Horse Canyon grows by $151 million
Credit to Author: Scott Brown| Date: Thu, 05 Sep 2019 23:33:25 +0000
The B.C. government is inviting bids on the fourth and final phase of the Kicking Horse Canyon project, the widening of the 4.8 kilometres of Highway 1 east of Golden, with work expected to begin in the summer of 2020.
The budget for the project has grown to $601 million with the province proving $385.8 million and the federal government chipping in $215.2 million.
The project costs have increased by $151 million since it was first announced in 2016.
“The general capital budget increase is due to several factors, including additional engineering, design and geotechnical work, additional foundation supports for bridges and retaining walls, application of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), consultation with Indigenous communities and higher contingency based on the risk and complexity of the project,” the ministry said in a release.
The Phase 4 “Canyon” section is the last and most difficult part of the entire Kicking Horse Canyon Project
Workers will widen the stretch of the Trans Canada Highway from two to four lanes as well as add a median barrier and snow/rock fall hazard protection.
The request for proposals will be issued later this fall. The contract will be awarded in 2020 with construction is expected to begin next summer.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says construction will have a significant effect on traffic, including extended full highway closures.