iN VIDEO: Kicking Horse Canyon construction set to wrap up week early

Drivers will be able to travel the Trans-Canada Highway through Kicking Horse Canyon a week sooner than expected.

The section of Highway 1 just east of Golden will open ahead of schedule at 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25, according to a Ministry of Transportation media release issued today, Nov. 23. The ministry initially told the public it would be closed until Dec. 1.

Kicking Horse Canyon Constructors, the project's contractor, made progress during the recent fall closure and the new alignment is opening ahead of schedule, the ministry said. The project is not entirely complete and once the new section of highway opens, traffic will pass through the future eastbound lanes while work continues on the new westbound lanes.

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The current phase of the project involved realigning and widening 4.8 kilometres of highway through the canyon, which required four new bridges and nine new viaducts.

"Travellers and commercial truckers are set to benefit from these significant upgrades through the Kicking Horse Canyon," Rob Fleming, B.C.'s Minister of Transportation, said in the release. "The old highway's sharp corners are gone, with new viaducts and structures across sections of the canyon that improve the safety and reliability of this important interprovincial connection."

READ MORE: Alberta woman warns of rocks falling on Highway 1 after rock smashes windshield

The entire $600 million project is expected to be completed next winter. Full highway closures will be in place again in spring 2023.

Until Kicking Horse Canyon is open again – as well as when it closes again next spring – motorists will have to take a scenic 90-minute detour along Highways 93S and 95, which includes Kootenay National Park.

It’s always a good idea to check DriveB.C. before embarking upon long journeys.

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