If you're thinking of taking a road trip to British Columbia for Spring Break later next week, road closures are planned on a major route.
From noon on Tuesday, April 11, till midnight on Saturday, April 15, all through traffic on Highway 1 from Golden to Castle Junction will be routed via highways 93S and 95. This will add as much as 1.5 hours of travel time.
"The closure is necessary to prepare for a localized traffic shift that will enable the contractor to continue work on structures near the western end of the project," a press release from the B.C. government read.
Roadside signs will provide advance notification of the closure and directions to the alternate route. Drivers are advised to use caution and watch for wildlife, school children and school buses while travelling the alternate route.
The construction zone will be opened briefly to limited local and commuter traffic with prearranged permits twice daily, escorted by a pilot vehicle during half-hour periods beginning at 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Similar escorts will be provided for school buses to ensure students have uninterrupted access to school. Emergency vehicles in response mode will be provided escorted passage on short notice.
When completed in winter 2023-24, this 4.8-kilometre section of narrow, winding two-lane road will be converted to a modern four-lane standard, which according to the province of B.C., will make for a safer, more reliable route for people travelling through the Kicking Horse Canyon.
After this five-day closure, there will be no additional full-day closures of Highway 1 through the Kicking Horse Canyon until fall 2023. The full highway closure in the spring of 2022 lasted 32 days.
Updates about delays will be available online and motorists are urged to check before heading out.
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