Work continues on a multi-million dollar culvert replacement project to stabilize the underlying foundation of a stretch of Hwy16 just west of Rose Lake.
A new culvert will allow Tamen Creek to flow freely through and also avoid affecting the surrounding environment, a transportation and infrastructure ministry information email indicates.
“Improving hydraulic flow through the culvert protects the upstream and downstream ends of the creek and surrounding environment from flooding and erosion,” indicates the statement.
“This will improve fish and amphibian habitat in the channel and fish passage through the culvert.”
Work began nearly a year ago and a completion date of this fall remains as the target.
Motorists are being detoured via a 400-metre long two-lane temporary road around the project site for the duration of the work. A temporary bridge is also in place.
Prince George-based Enviro-Ex Contracting Ltd. has the construction contract which is valued at $12.122 with the total being $15.9 million. That cost remains unchanged.
This is the second major project along Hwy16 between Burns Lake and Houston in less than two years.
Last spring work was completed at Six Mile Summit between the two communities, featuring a new two-kilometre westbound passing lane, an extension of the eastbound passing lane and upgrades to the entry and exit lanes to the brake check and chain off areas at the summit.
That project cost $15 million.