The Kicking Horse Canyon project has reached an important milestone as the first parts of the Sheep Bridge on Highway 1 have been installed.

The first concrete girders that will support the bridge deck have been completed as work continues on improvements to the highway east of Golden.

“This is another major step towards completion as we transform this important corridor in the Kicking Horse Canyon area,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming.

“Sheep Bridge and other elements of the new alignment are part of modernizing the highway along one of B.C’s most rugged and scenic routes. These major improvements will make travel better and safer for people who live and work in the region. Anyone who travels this route will benefit.”

Sheep Bridge is the westernmost of several structures under construction in Phase 4 of the Kicking Horse Canyon Project, which includes the realignment and widening 4.8 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway through the canyon.

To improve safety for travellers, the new four-lane alignment will have a centre median barrier to divide opposing lanes of traffic. The highway shoulders will be widened to ministry standards to accommodate cyclists.

The $601-million project is cost-shared, with the Government of Canada contributing as much as $215 million and the B.C. government providing the remaining $386 million.

Construction is scheduled to be complete in winter 2023-24. Kicking Horse Canyon Constructors, selected to design and build the project, is a joint venture comprised of Aecon, Parsons Corporation and Emil Anderson Construction.