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Passing lane project getting underway near Jaffray
Work will start soon on a new westbound passing lane leaving Jaffray on Highway 3 to improve safety and traffic flow through the area.
Traffic leaving Jaffray frequently gets backed up. Construction of a passing lane will provide people with a safe opportunity to pass slower-moving vehicles. Work will also include the addition of a two-metre wide paved shoulder to improve cyclist safety, as well as a wildlife tunnel and wildlife-exclusion fencing to help prevent collisions with wildlife, reported a Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure media release.
A contract for the project has been awarded to Bad Ventures Ltd. of Cranbrook.
Work is expected to get underway in early July and be complete in 2021. During construction, every effort will be made to minimize disruption and impacts to local traffic. Updates will be provided via DriveBC.
The ministry is working closely with all contractors and WorkSafeBC to ensure health and safety are maintained for all workers on site.
Provincial construction sites have protocols and policies in place following the requirements of the provincial health officer to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These include reducing in-person meetings or gatherings, holding meetings outdoors and ensuring physical distancing of workers throughout the work day. These measures, along with daily cleaning and sanitizing of common areas and surfaces, will help ensure worker and public safety.
This $9.2-million project is cost shared, with a federal contribution of more than $3 million through the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component. The province is providing $6.2 million for this improvement.
The ministry has been collaborating with the Highway 3 Mayors’ and Chairs’ Coalition to identify priorities for infrastructure improvements along the Highway 3 corridor. Improvements include constructing passing lanes, increasing safety through tight curves, replacing aging infrastructure and improving access within communities.
The Highway 3 corridor is approximately 840 kilometres long, stretching from Hope to the Alberta border. It serves as a vital east-west trade route for goods and services.
More than 4,600 vehicles use this section of Highway 3 daily, increasing to 5,400 vehicles during the summer months.
For more information on this improvement project.
Lead image: The passing lane will begin as Highway 3 leaves Jaffray, heading west, helping reduce the cluster of traffic. e-KNOW file photo
e-KNOW
