The new Bertram Street overpass should finally span Highway 97 by late fall.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which will extend between Bertram St. and connect to Rowcliffe Park through Central Green, was held on Fri., Mar. 8.
Mayor Tom Dyas said the overpass will link commuters of all abilities to transit, UBCO鈥檚 new downtown campus, businesses, services, restaurants, parks, and other amenities.
麻豆精选 Mayor Tom Dyas announces the groundbreaking of the Bertram Street overpass. pic.twitter.com/eKZHbzHsIY
鈥� Gary Barnes (@GaryBarnes97912) March 8, 2024
He noted several important reasons as to why the overpass is needed.
鈥淪afety, to allow people to get over the highway. Efficiency鈥ewer individuals crossing at stop lights and throwing off the synchronization of the stop lights,鈥� Dyas added. 鈥淲e looked at the accessibility and put a grade on it of four per cent, which was extremely important.鈥�
In August last year, staff told council that approximately 400 pedestrians and 750 cyclists use the Richter and Ethel crosswalks, to the east and west of Bertram, daily. Statistics from ICBC show that approximately 52 pedestrians are killed, and 2,400 are injured in crashes every year in B.C.
The mayor was joined by Municipal Affairs Minister Anne Kang, Councillors Loyal Wooldridge, Gord Lovegrove, Luck Stack, and several city staff for the groundbreaking.
鈥淐reating more options for safe travel allows people to fully engage with their community all while cutting down on pollution,鈥� said King.
B.C. Municipal Affairs Minister, Anne Kang, speaks at the Bertram Street Overpass ground breaking ceremony. pic.twitter.com/PqXVdPOlrW
鈥� Gary Barnes (@GaryBarnes97912) March 8, 2024
The project dates back 10-12 years when it was a condition of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure agreeing to the Central Green development. It has been through several changes.
Initial work on the project was to begin in 2021 when the price tag was $5.5 million. When it went to tender in 2022, the cost came in at more than double that and the project was put on hold.
The project will cost $12 million with $7 million coming from the city鈥檚 portion of the provincial Growing Communities Fund, $3.79 million from the federal government, and the rest from city reserves.
鈥淚 would like to thank Minister Kang for the contributions made by the provincial government鈥nd contributions made by the government of Canada.鈥�
Construction is expected to start later in March and be completed by November.
The work will necessitate partial lane closures on Highway 97 during certain portions of the project. The public will be made aware of dates and timing through the City of 麻豆精选.
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