A collective sigh of relief could be heard across Agassiz this week as construction on the Rosedale overhead came one step closer to completion.
#BCHwy9 The Rosedale Overhead is now OPEN to two-way traffic. The temporary traffic signals have been removed. Final paving lift at bridge approaches in coming weeks. 50km/h construction speed zone remains in effect. #Agassiz https://t.co/0bgw4NSwbG pic.twitter.com/hIu9rZd5vq
— Lower Mainland Dist. (@TranBC_LMD) May 18, 2018
The traffic lights have disappeared and two lanes were open for the long weekend before crews complete finishing touches like general cleanup and final paving. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said paving is weather dependent – so a firm end date can’t be determined – but the ‘little bridge’ as it’s often called, should be done this spring.
But now drivers want to know – when will phase two begin?
The province announced the two-phase project in April 2017, planning seismic upgrades to the abutments and bridge deck and a two-metre-wide shoulder enhancement for cyclists and pedestrians on the smaller of the two bridges linking Agassiz and Harrison to Rosedale.
“Highway 9 is a major connector route for this area, with more than 11,000 vehicles per day using the section near the bridges,” Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness told Black Press last year.
“The work to widen the bridge will improve safety and ensure reliability on this important transportation corridor.”
The larger Agassiz Rosedale bridge is set to undergo construction for similar updates, but the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said it is still working to complete the design and finalize a construction timeline.
Tourism Harrison shared information it received from the ministry that provided more details about the impending project. This year construction on the Agassiz Rosedale bridge will focus on improving stability – work the ministry hopes to have completed by March 31, 2019.
“At this time we are focusing on design and work on the structure under the deck,” the ministry wrote in regards to a phase two start date. “We do not anticipate work that will require traffic closures until after December 2020.”
The ministry said the project will utilize multiple contracts over multiple years to target specific sections of the bridge.
“We are not anticipating full bridge closure and will use traffic signals if appropriate during construction.”
– with files from
Paul Henderson