Old Skeena Bridge to close for final phase of Terrace gateway project
3-day closure to accommodate paving as Terrace's Lakelse Gateway Connection Project nears completion
The City of Terrace has announced the closure of the Old Skeena Bridge to both traffic and pedestrians from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4 due to ongoing paving work. This is in line with one of the final phases of the Lakelse Gateway Connection Project.
According to an Oct. 30 press release, Lakelse Avenue will be closed every day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., spanning from Apsley Street through to the Old Skeena Bridge during the aforementioned dates.
A major goal of the Lakelse Gateway Connection Project is to establish a safer link between Terrace and Thornhill through a one-kilometre multi-use pathway situated on the north side of Lakelse Avenue. This ambitious project has transformed a previously gravel shoulder into a separate three-metre asphalt pathway, inclusive of the necessary roadworks.
Beginning at the historic Old Skeena Bridge and ending at Apsley Street, the pathway concludes with a gateway feature. This feature encompasses signage, landscaping, and a resting area, signifying the entrance into downtown Terrace.
Originally outlined in the city's 2018 Downtown Action Plan, the project was listed among its "Ten Big Moves." These initiatives are designed to breathe new life into the city's downtown. Additionally, the project enhances a vital entrance into the city, merging with existing hiking, cycling trails, and the Skeena River. This serves not only residents but also provides recreational facilities for tourists.
The gateway project was intended to complement the rehabilitation work done on the Old Skeena Bridge that started in July 2022, re-opening ahead of schedule in May. The project was initially expected to be completed in October, with the work on milling and paving the road from the Old Skeena Bridge to Lakelse Ave. and Apsley St. finishing quickly thereafter.
Gitga’at Park Derochie Industrial Services Inc., a collaboration between Gitga’at First Nation and Park Derochie Industrial Services, spearheaded the $22.6 million project on the Old Skeena Bridge. Their responsibilities included sandblasting, repainting, and structural repairs on the bridge. Plans also included "bump outs" on the sidewalk for the convenience of pedestrians and cyclists.
Constructed in 1925, the Old Skeena Bridge has seen numerous changes to maintain its utility. Initially crafted with an African hardwood deck, it was subsequently replaced with steel. The recent rehabilitation aimed to prolong its use, given its significance to the local community.
Despite challenges such as inflationary pressures, which increased the initial budget from $500,000 to $700,000, and construction delays, the city remains dedicated to completing the gateway project in 2023. Terrace City Council approved a $200,000 allocation from the Northern Capital Planning Grant Reserve on Oct. 23 to facilitate this.
Terrace City Manager Maggie Hall emphasized the importance of the resurfacing work, linking it directly to the city's pathway construction. The urgency was not only due to the poor driving surface but also to guide water efficiently to the new storm drainage system.
Hall acknowledged the complexities of the project, attributing delays to a lack of bids for construction and challenges in coordinating contractors. Despite this, efforts have been made to expedite the process, even if it meant stretching the budget.
The increased project costs stemmed from a 22 per cent rise in paving rates since fall 2022, additional charges for cold weather paving, and unforeseen adjustments at the Lakelse Ave. and Apsley St. intersections.
Hall cautioned that failing to address the current budget would lead to temporary solutions, potentially resulting in no cost savings and possible further expenses in the future.
As part of the push to complete the project, road milling was concluded on Sept. 24.
In Feb. 2021, a provincial grant amounting to over $920,000 was awarded to the City of Terrace for this initiative. Created in response to COVID-19's impact, this grant, part of a $90 million commitment by the province, was intended to bolster economic resilience and development in affected communities.
This story was updated on Oct. 30 at 10:57 p.m. to clarify that the cost of the rehabilitation work on the Old Skeena Bridge and the Lakelse Gateway Connection Project. The Old Skeena Bridge rehabilitation work cost $22.6 million, whereas the cost to mill and repave Lakelse Ave. between the Old Skeena Bridge and Apsley St. cost an estimated $700,000.