Spring to bring major traffic delays on Trans-Canada Highway for Kicking Horse Canyon project

Photo: BC Gov't

As spring arrives, that means roadwork season is just around the corner.

One of the largest projects affecting highway travellers in B.C. will be the fourth and final phase of the Kicking Horse Canyon project on the Trans-Canada Highway, near Golden.

Major delays and closures are anticipated.

Construction work will realign and widen 4.8 kilometres of the highway east of Golden, bringing it up to four lanes. Other improvements will include avalanche and rock fall mitigation, as well as wildlife fencing.

Major construction will get underway in April, the Ministry of Transportation says.

When extended closures are necessary, a pass system will be implemented for local commuters and school buses, and – starting next month – single-lane, alternating traffic will be common with delays of 20 to 30 minutes.

By the middle of March, there may be closures of up to two hours on weekdays during the late morning, early afternoon and early evening.

Beginning in mid-March, there may be overnight closures of up to nine hours between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., the ministry advises. During overnight closures, traffic will be diverted to Highways 93 and 95 through Radium Hot Springs. A one-month extended closure will also take place from April 12 to May 14.

During the extended closure, the pass system will allow local commuters and essential local traffic to be escorted through the construction zone during two brief peak-period windows.