Replacement of the Nass River Bridge near Stewart will get started this spring.
The current single-lane bridge
The new $24 million, two-lane crossing will replace the single-lane timber structure built along Highway 37 back in 1956.
The BC government says the project will improve safety and mobility for people in the region and keep traffic flowing smoothly on what it calls a key north-south connection for residents and the resource sector.
“Replacing this bridge is vital to support the region’s growing forestry and mining industries,” said Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and MLA for Stikine, Doug Donaldson in a news release. “It will also benefit residents of the surrounding communities and tourists by improving access to recreational activities in northern British Columbia.”
Plans for the new double-lane bridge
The new bridge will be built just upstream from the current span, will feature shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists, and will be designed to allow traffic to cross at 90 kilometres per hour, instead of the original 30 km/h speed limit.
The rest area at the east end of the bridge will be relocated along with a new pedestrian viewpoint and new washroom facilities.
The federal government is contributing $10.7 million to the project, while the Government of British Columbia is covering the remaining costs.
Completion is scheduled for the fall, 2019.
