Kamloops construction update: Overlanders Bridge will be complete by end of October

KAMLOOPS – While some wet weather has caused construction delays it is fully expected the Overlanders Bridge will be completed on schedule.

“I’m not necessarily going to state we’re behind or in delays,” Capital Projects Manager Darren Crundwell says, though he admits, “Any days we lose to weather really impact us reaching that date.”

He says when work days are lost to rain, crews must expedite other parts of the work.

“I’m still sticking by… we’re trying to be substantially done by Oct. 31 and have four lanes open on the bridge.”

Crundwell says if city workers must implement night closures in November to remove scaffolding from the bridge they will, so long as the bridge opens.

The bridge is roughly 70 per cent complete and he hopes work on the east lanes will take less time given the process is just repetition.

“Budget hasn’t been an issue, the project has been well planned,” Crundell says of the $10 million project.

OVERLANDERS BRIDGE

This weekend, Sept. 12 to 13, motorists crossing the Overlanders Bridge can expect single lane alternating traffic as crews begin to switch work from the west side of the bridge to the east. Starting Monday, Sept. 14, traffic will travel in the west lanes of the bridge. This will be the final major configuration change of the project.

All southbound vehicles continue to detour through a bypass off the southwest ramp. This bypass remains in effect until the completion of the project. All southbound heavy trucks must detour through the Mission Flats intersection or travel up Summit Drive.

COLUMBIA STREET

The north sidewalk on Columbia Street between Fourth and Sixth Avenues remains closed but the south sidewalk is open.

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., crews will be replacing the water valve at Columbia Street and Sixth Avenue, resulting in a temporary water shut down for some residents and businesses in the 500 and 600 blocks. Information will go out to those affected 48 hours in advance.

The Route 9 Gleneagles bus traveling from downtown to Aberdeen continues to temporarily re-route on Battle Street.

12 STREET

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 15, crews will be installing sidewalk and curbing on the east side of 12th Street between Lethbridge Avenue and Tranquille Road. Access will be restricted to private driveways once the concrete is poured.

Residents can expect intermittent, full closures with detours in effect.

ABERDEEN DRIVE

Starting the end of next week, asphalt will be milled off Aberdeen Drive.

Construction will take place Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and motorists are advised to expect delays.

DALLAS DRIVE

Crews will continue to install the new sanitary line on the north side of Dallas Drive.

Motorists can expect single lane, alternating traffic between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Lanes will reopen to two way traffic at night.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dana Reynolds at dreynolds@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.