Bridge repairs do not mean a smooth ride in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – If social media is any indicator, driving on the newly paved west lanes of the Overlanders Bridge is a little bumpy.

Posters in several Facebook groups are complaining of 'speed bumps' damaging the shocks and suspension in their vehicles while some say their tax dollars were spent on sub-par construction. Others think the bridge repairs were a waste of time. 

“You would think that after all the 'construction' they have done they would at least try to fix the one problem that has been there for years on end,” on Facebook post reads.

The problem is a six millimetre difference between the concrete that encases the steel deck joints and the joints themselves, as well as a small difference between the concrete and the asphalt paving the road, according to city transportation coordinator Colleen Lepik.

She says while a couple of millimetres doesn’t sound like a lot — roughly the width an iPhone — the slight difference in levels does account for the bumps in the road.

“We can’t asphalt over the top of the joint because we need to allow for movement on the bridge,” Lepik says, explaining why paving stops and starts at each joint.

If paved over, the asphalt would crack and would be in a constant state of repair.

Workers will attempt to bevel or grind down the concrete to reduce the size of the bumps, she notes.

“The east side will be done while the joints are being installed,” she says.

If this makes a difference to the ride, workers will copy the same procedure to the west lanes. Lepik warns, however, the beveling might not solve the bump problems.

“In terms of people's expectations, no, it will never be perfectly smooth.”

The Overlanders Bridge project includes construction on connecting roads, the bridge deck itself and the west sidewalk. Work began in the spring and the $10-million project is expected to be completed by Oct. 31.

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.