ENR 2025 Global Best Projects
Award of Merit, Bridge/Tunnel: BC Highway Reinstatement Program — Highway 1 Nicomen River Bridge Replacement
A new bridge with a 120-m curvature radius relinks the Trans-Canada Highway Corridor in a remote section of British Columbia.
BC Highway Reinstatement Program – Highway 1 Nicomen River Bridge Replacement
Near Spences Bridge, B.C., Canada
Award of Merit, Bridge/Tunnel
Submitted by Kiewit Infrastructure BC ULC
Owner: BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT)
Lead Design Firm: Kiewit Engineering Group Canada ULC
Contractor: Kiewit Infrastructure BC ULC
Using the alliance delivery model, the project team restored a vital segment of the Trans-Canada Highway Corridor that was damaged by catastrophic floods in 2021. The new 69-meter- long, 13.4-m-wide steel girder bridge, erected on a steep slope, had a 120-m radius and was built in constrained conditions at a remote location. “This was challenging not only for the new bridge construction but also for the installation and subsequent removal of the detour bridge,” notes Domenic Serrand, project manager with Kiewit.
The team deployed advanced surveying, independent fit-up checks at the fabricator and finite element construction staging analysis to ensure incident-free removal of the existing bridge, launch and removal of a prefabricated modular detour bridge and permanent bridge installation.
An unexpected challenge arose when pink salmon were found spawning under the old bridge as well as upstream and downstream. “Losing the spring in-water works window had the potential to delay the project for over 6 months,” says Serrand. The team quickly re-engineered the riprap revetments to reduce in-water work and protect the habitat.
The team partnered with the Nicomen Indian Band to adjust excavation methods and protect archeological areas, hiring community members to complete the project ahead of schedule and under budget.
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