Brake Check to Yoho National Park (Phase 3 East) and Golden Hill to West Portal (Phase 3 West)
Total estimated cost: $134.5 million
In November 2007, the Governments of Canada and British Columbia announced joint funding for two segments of work under the new Building Canada infrastructure plan (see Project Updates). The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure completed conceptual planning studies and began preliminary engineering studies in 2004. Concepts and designs have evolved with the assistance of public input, and can be viewed on the Community Consultation page.
Phase 3 East: Brake Check to Yoho National Park (Construction Under Way)
Estimated cost: $66 million
(BC $34.15 million; Canada $31.85 million)
- Improvements include:
- 4-lane upgrade of 8.8 km with concrete median barrier
- New Mt. Hunter Creek Bridge
- Overpass arrangement at Wapta/Beaverfoot Road
- Access consolidation
- Two wildlife crossings with fencing throughout
Construction began in October 2008 with clearing and drilling for pile installation at the Mt. Hunter Creek Bridge site. At the close of the 2009 construction season, the contractor had completed: 9 kilometres of 2-lane grade (out of 4 lanes total), Mt. Hunter Creek Bridge (concrete parapets and deck are curing over the winter months), Beaverfoot overpass, 6 hectares of hydroseeding, new culverts and drainage system throughout.
In 2010, construction activities will include: completing the wildlife fencing and special wildlife crossings, opening the new Mt. Hunter Creek Bridge to traffic, reclamation of the old highway at 10 Mile Hill, and constructing the Beaverfoot Road/Wapta Road connector.
Construction is targeted for substantial completion in fall 2010.
When Phase 3 East construction is concluded, 18 continuous kilometers of safe, reliable and modern highway will have been created through some of the most difficult terrain in the province, doubling what was previously completed in Phases 1 and 2.
Phase 3 West: Golden Hill to West Portal (Construction Partially Complete)
Estimated cost: $68.5 million
(BC $35.95 million; Canada $32.35 million; Town of Golden $0.2 million)
- 3.8 km
- Grade reduction on Golden Hill
- Extension of 4th lane on Golden Hill to Highway 95 intersection
- Grade separation at Golden Donald Upper Road
- Access consolidation
- Cycling/pedestrian improvements
- Wildlife fencing, ungulate guards on access roads, and special wildlife crossing
Construction has begun under the $27.2 million design-build contract awarded to Emil Anderson Construction Ltd. The design-build approach provides for quicker delivery of construction by combining the design stage and the construction stage into one contract. This enables the contractor to tailor the delivery of the work to take greater advantage of design refinement and innovation opportunities during the construction stage. This section is scheduled for completion by 2012.
Preliminary work, involving the construction of a fourth lane extension on Golden Hill, began in May 2009 under day labour, the Ministry’s process for hiring local workers and equipment directly. The paving and remaining work was completed by Dawson Construction and the lane opened to traffic in October 2009.
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