The District of 100 Mile House is on track to begin the replacement of the Horse Lake Bridge in the spring of 2025.
In a recent satement issued to the public Tammy Boulanger, the district's chief administration officer, said that council is actively working with the Minister of Municipal Affairs to expedite the granting of archaeological permits needed for construction to begin. The district first slated the bridge for replacement in 2017 and in 2022 announced plans to complete the project by 2024.
"Horse Lake Bridge, situated within a recognized archaeological site, necessitates appropriate permits for both the installation of a temporary bridge and the full replacement of the existing structure," Boulanger said. "We are now in the final stages of securing these permits in collaboration with our archaeologists and the Provincial Archaeology Branch."
Boulanger noted that the archaeological study has taken such a long time because the area has already been disturbed several times in the past, including when the bridge was originally built. She confirmed small artifacts had been found at the site and reports needed to be included alongside the construction plan submitted to the province.
The projected cost of this project is expected to be at least $4.7 million, including the cost of replacing the bridge and building a temporary bridge during construction. In February of 2022, the district secured $1,748,000 from the Ministry of Transportation through the Rural and Northern Communities Programs. The remaining $2,952,000 has already been allocated from the district's municipal reserves.
Mayor Maureen Pinkney said that the current wooden bridge was originally constructed in 1977 and came to the end of its expected 50-year life in 2017. Over the years the district has replaced the wooden planks cars drive on twice and reduced the load capacity to extend its lifespan. Even still Pinkney said up to 4,000 cars use the bridge every day.
"(Replacing the bridge) dragged on a lot longer than we thought it would, which is unfortunate. All the government people have been very busy and it didn't help us that we had all these atmospheric rivers and other bridges in the province being washed away," Pinkney said. "We've had five years of extreme weather and that's kept contractors, engineers and the BC Archaeology Branch so busy. We would have liked it if the bridge was already there last year but moving forward we're ready to go."
Over the last few years, Pinkney said she and council have made sure provincial agencies and ministries understand how important replacing the Horse Lake Bridge is. She noted it is not only a vital supply link for Cariboo Regional District communities east of 100 Mile House but also a potential emergency evacuation route in the result of a disaster that connects Highway 24 with Highway 97.
Pinkney said that the new bridge will be constructed out of concrete and will be designed to last for the next century, which will be a relief. She anticipates construction taking between four to six months.
"A wooden bridge takes a lot of maintenance to maintain and a concrete bridge should last a long time and require a lot less maintenance," Pinkney remarked.
Boulanger told thesimplymastery that the district hopes to have the archaeological permit secured by September. This will then allow them to secure a contractor who will begin construction in the spring of 2025. Pinkney said there is a chance if all the ducks fall in a row construction could begin by this fall, but thinks spring next year is most likely. She noted construction could be further delayed if additional artifacts are found during construction.
"District of 100 Mile House Mayor, Council and staff extend heartfelt gratitude to the residents of 100 Mile House for their patience and understanding as we work towards completing this vital infrastructure project," Boulanger said. "Our commitment remains steadfast in ensuring uninterrupted access for all community members while upholding the highest standards of safety and compliance."
In the meantime, Pinkney requests that drivers reduce their speed while crossing the bridge to reduce stress on it. She noted that when the district had their speed sign set up near the bridge they clocked one driver travelling at 114 km an hour.
"People travel a little to fast on that bridge where there's people walking and it's close to town. The speed limit is 50 kilometers and people tend to do 60 or 70," Pinkney remarked. "It would be nice to have slower cars, everyone would appreciate that."
