Things are going very well on the Kicking Horse Canyon Project (KHCP).

There are three projects on the go in the project. Two are currently in the construction phase and the third is in the design phase. The biggest part of the project is the Brake Check to Yoho to widen that stretch of highway

Murray Tekano, project manager, said that work is proceeding very well and the crew has recently come off of its extended night closures.

“we had to close at night to allow the large crane we are using to park on the existing bridge and lift the large beams into place for the new bridge. We did that work over three nights and we will now be working on finishing the approaching stages to the new bridge.”

Tekano said that the other work happening in that area is the excavating and placing footings for the overpass at the Beaverfoot intersection.

“Basically we are consolidating the intersection into one interchange to eliminate the crossing of four lanes upon turning left out of that intersection and keep the flow of traffic going safely in that area.”

Tekano said the next steps of the project will include placing wildlife protections along the highway.

“There has been a significant amount of tracking and studies that have gone into that phase of the design and we will also include strategic crossing areas for wildlife in the area.”

Tekano explained that the KHC project has continually been in the process of using recycling measures and is using a pilot program that incorporates bioengineering techniques to reduce environmental impacts.

With respect to employment, Tekano said that he is pleased to announce that there are 125 people working on the Brake Check to Yoho project and that has brought great opportunities to area contractors and labourers.

“The next piece that people are probably noticing is the Golden Hill to Portal improvements that can be seen from town,” said Tekano.

With a total project value of $68.5 million, Hill to Portal will bring another 3.8 kilometres of roadway up to a modern 4-lane standard. It will reduce the steep grade on Golden Hill, extend a fourth lane down the hill to provide a continuous four lanes through to the signals at the west end of the Town, and provide a grade separation at Golden Donald Upper Road for additional safety. There will also be improved linkages for cyclists and pedestrians and greater protection for the abundant local wildlife with fencing and crossing structures.

“We are really pleased that this part of the project is employing 99 per cent local labourers and contractors, with 33 people at work in that section currently.”

Tekano said that people may notice step looking cuts being put into the side of the embankment along the Golden Hill improvements.

“We are creating these “steps” at a natural angle so as to create pockets where there can be higher levels of plant take,” Tekano explained, adding that the KHCP is incorporating local input into the planting of vegetation along the embankment.

Tekano said that the crews will begin paving in the Golden Hill phase toward the end of summer and a median will be put in place to separate traffic.

The third part of the KHCP on Golden Hill is currently in the design build phase.

In April, Tekano said there were seven proposals received for design and construction improvements in the fourth lane of the four kilometre section of the project.

“We are nearing the evaluation of the proposals and very soon, three will get the nod to complete their designs to see who gets to build the project.”

Tekano explained that the winning bid will realign Lafontaine Road and create an interchange feature at that section. The successful bid will have suggestions for alterations and improvements of the existing viewpoints and tie into the Town’s visions for more cycling and pedestrian paths and lookouts in the area.

Announcements of the three teams will come in August with construction beginning fall 2009 and scheduled for completion in 2012.

“We have had such great results and I am really looking forward to starting construction of the Design Build part of the project,” said Tekano.

For more information visit the website at www.th.gov.bc.ca/kickinghorse.