The Regional District of East Kootenay’s (RDEK) Electoral Area B Director is applauding last week’s announcement by the province that a new bridge will soon be constructed in Elko.

“This is a project that many of us have been working on for a long time and I want to thank the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure for making it a reality,” said Electoral Area B Director Stan Doehle. “Not only will this replace the aging bridge over the railway tracks, it will also significantly increase public safety by adding a turning lane off the highway, widening shoulders and improving visibility and pedestrian access.”

The $12 million dollar Elko Overhead Replacement Project was announced Thursday by the province and will include:

• a new 53-metre, three-span bridge;
• wider shoulders;
• a barrier-protected sidewalk on the north side of the new bridge;
• a westbound left-turn lane at Bate Avenue to improve access for residents;
• a wheelchair-accessible pedestrian tunnel under Highway 3 on the north side of the new bridge; and

• improved signage and lighting.

“Highway 3 Mayors and Chairs Coalition Chair (and Mayor of Sparwood) David Wilks has been a huge proponent of safety improvements in this location, advocating to the province for this as a top priority. I want to acknowledge and thank him and the Coalition for their efforts,” added Doehle.

The project is currently in the engineering phase, with construction anticipated to begin in the spring of 2022.

Additional information about the project is available on: gov.bc.ca/elko-overhead.

e-KNOW file photo

RDEK

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