By next month, the Hwy. 17A overpass across Hwy. 99 will be fully open and back the way it was before a truck smashed into it last July.
The damage will be repaired by the end of this month, says the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“The repairs to the crossing have been extensive, involving demolition and girder installation,” the ministry said.
However, repairs to the damaged sections of the overpass have been completed, with crews and equipment remaining on site to complete additional work on the bridge pier and deck structure.
Cost of the repairs will ring in at about $1.7 million.
The overpass was damaged July 18 when a truck southbound on Hwy. 99 hit the underside of the Hwy. 17A structure. The cause of the accident was listed as, “driver error/failed to secure bin properly,” according to the ministry’s Commercial Vehicle Bridge/Overpass Crash Report.
Bright Sky Disposal Ltd. was fined a total of $2,002. The company also voluntarily surrendered its safety certificate.
Repairs had been scheduled for late last year but were delayed because of the potential impacts to area businesses during the busy Christmas season.
While one lane on the overpass will remain closed while work continues, a single lane southbound on the overpass will be maintained, said the ministry. There are still also nightly, single-lane closures on Hwy. 99, in both directions, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
