The Salmon River bridge north of Prince George is getting replaced.
The new 24 million dollar bridge will be wider and have a greater load capacity that the current span which was built in 1954. It will also have a pedestrian crossing.
MLA Mike Morris says this has been a long time coming.
“From the minute I got elected this was one of my top priorities. Every opportunity I’ve had to discuss the infrastructure issue with the Minister I have been, and I was glad to see we’ve been able to knock one off the list.
Morris says he has heard from many truckers who are frustrated they need to take routes through Alberta to the gas fields in the Peace because of old crossings.
“It’s those extra wide loads and extra high loads. The loads are getting heavier as well and this bridge just isn’t designed for it. It’s a 1954 model bridge, it’s served the people well for over 60 years and it’s time to accommodate the modern traffic we have.”
Construction on the span will begin in 2016 with a completion date set in Fall 2017.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone also announced this morning that the province would be four-laning Highway 16 between Bunce and Blackwater Roads west of Prince George. Construction on that project will begin in 2017.