April 8, 2009
Project Update
KICKING HORSE PHASE 3 WEST CONSTRUCTION ACCELERATED
GOLDEN – Preliminary construction of the Hill-to-Portal section of the Kicking Horse Canyon Project will begin next month, a year ahead of schedule, with major works to follow this fall. The announcement was made by Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Kevin Falcon and the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister of the Asia-Pacific Gateway.
With a total project value of $68.5 million, Hill to Portal will bring another 3.8 kilometres of roadway up to a modern 4-lane standard. It will reduce the steep grade on Golden Hill, extend a fourth lane down the hill to provide a continuous four lanes through to the signals at the west end of the Town, and provide a grade separation at Golden Donald Upper Road for additional safety. There will also be improved linkages for cyclists and pedestrians and greater protection for the abundant local wildlife with fencing and crossing structures.
Construction of the fourth lane extension will begin in May under day labour, the Ministry’s process for hiring local workers and equipment directly. The rest will be accelerated with a design-build process, in which the Ministry will seek complete proposals to both prepare the final design and construct the improvements according to the criteria have developed with the input of the community over the past few years. “With a funding agreement already in place, we are taking advantage of the opportunity to complete the design and accelerate construction at a time when it will do the most good,” said Minister Falcon. “And we are doing so while maintaining our award-winning commitment to environmental protection and greenhouse gas reduction, with such measures as wood waste composting, a no-burn rule for debris, reduced vehicle idling and recycling of materials.”
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the design-build work is being issued immediately.
Kicking Horse Canyon Project Website