Courtenay bridge spared lane closures Sept. 3 to 9

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There will be no lane closures on the Fifth Street Bridge for the week of Sept. 3 to 9.

The bridge is opening up to two-lane traffic while crews will be focusing their efforts underneath the bridge deck as well as on sidewalks, leaving both lanes open to eastbound and westbound traffic.

“We’re mindful of resident’s concerns over traffic issues as well as increased traffic from back-to-school schedules,” said Kevin Lagan, director of operational services. “While the work is continuing as planned, crews will be concentrating on work that is off the main bridge deck for one week.”

This work will include some repainting, as well as installing fiber optic conduits. On the sidewalks, crews will be fixing a bent hand rail. Crews will ensure that pedestrians and cyclists are able to cross the bridge safely while they complete the sidewalk repairs.

No traffic delays are expected next week. Crews will return to working on the bridge deck on Sept. 10, closing one lane from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday and diverting eastbound traffic to the 17th Street Bridge.

Night work completed this week has been successful, and the City and contractor are looking at doing additional work at night later in the project. The project’s scheduled completion date is Sept. 20.

Lagan thanked the public for their patience during the project.

“We know it has been a challenge,” said Lagan. “We’re very appreciative of the frustration of drivers, and we’re doing everything we can keep delays to a minimum. We just ask that people remain calm and follow the rules of the road to keep traffic flowing.”

The City also expressed gratitude to those that have made the decision to leave the car at home and travel on foot or by bike.

“We understand that not everyone is able to use alternate methods of transportation, for various reasons,” noted Lagan. “Those that can have been a big help — every person that walks or bikes means one less car on the road, so we’ve made sure to give them the best access possible to the Fifth Street Bridge in both directions.”

The City is also trying to minimize the impact on transit users. When lane closures are in effect, flaggers have been directing buses over the bridge in both directions to maintain bus schedules. School buses will also be given priority once school starts.

For more information and updates visit www.courtenay.ca or contact project engineer Ian Whitehead at 250-338-5495, contractor David Tureene at 250-880-1981 or MainRoad Contractings 24 Hour communication line at 1-866-904-0209.

— City of Courtenay