Bridge being replaced
Photo: City of Vernon
Work is continuing on a significant infrastructure project in Vernon.
At their regular meeting Monday, Vernon city council will receive a brief update on Phase 1 of the 43rd Street Vernon Creek Crossing project.
The contractor has started to install piles for the new bridge and BC Hydro has also worked with the project team to relocate poles and wires in preparation for the pile driving.
The Vernon Creek crossing at 43rd Street, upstream of the Vernon Water Reclamation Centre (VWRC), has been identified as a constriction point. In the recently completed Detailed Flood Mapping, Risk Analysis and Mitigation project looking at both Vernon and BX Creek, the crossing located was identified as a priority for replacement due to the flood risk under an ever-changing climate.
This project incorporates downstream bank armouring next to the VWRC, multi use pathway connection from Okanagan Avenue to Okanagan Landing Road as well as stormwater upgrades to a critical outlet originating from Tassie Creek.
The city’s grant application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program Green Stream – Adaption, Resilience & Disaster Mitigation (ARDM) has been approved for up to $2.4M in funding towards the new crossing.
Phase 2 will occur from August to November. The bridge will be closed entirely to all traffic. The old crossing will be removed and replaced with the new one. Detours will be in place, and all traffic will be rerouted around the construction site.