Highway 1 through the Kicking Horse Canyon is reopening ahead of schedule after crews made good progress during the fall closure.
The section of highway was supposed to reopen on Dec. 1, but will now be drivable at 6 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.
“As winter approaches, this is reassuring news for residents and travellers passing through Kicking Horse Canyon. Investments in road infrastructure help keep communities safe and connected,” said Harjit Sajjan, federal Minister of International Development in a release.
Once it is reopened traffic will move onto much of the newly built infrastructure using the future eastbound lanes, while work moves to the westbound lanes.
“Travellers and commercial truckers are set to benefit from these significant upgrades through the Kicking Horse Canyon,” said Rob Fleming, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“The old highway’s sharp corners are gone, with new viaducts and structures across sections of the canyon that improve the safety and reliability of this important interprovincial connection.
Nearly two kilometres of new eastbound bridge and viaduct structures will be in use.
The project is expected to be fully complete by winter 2023-24.
The next full highway closure is expected in the spring.