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Highway to close Saturday night for bridge repairs

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Traffic on the Malakwa Bridge has been limited to one lane since April 9

The Trans-Canada Highway will be closed Saturday night so that repairs may be completed on the Malakwa Bridge.

The highway closure was announced Friday morning by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Repairs to the bridge, about 17 kilometres east of Sicamous, are scheduled to occur between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m., April 16-17.

Structural damage occurred to the bridge on Saturday, April 9,  at around 8:30 p.m. after a westbound semi tractor-trailer and an eastbound semi hauling a flatbed clipped each other while crossing.

The driver of the westbound semi, a 29-year-old Abbotsford man, subsequently lost control and collided with the bridge. He died soon after.

Temporary repairs were made, but traffic has been restricted to one lane until full repairs could be completed.

As a detour,  the ministry recommends that travellers may use Highway 23 South, between Revelstoke and Nakusp and Vernon, using the Needles Arrow Lake Ferry.

Travellers using this detour route should allow for more than six hours travel time and expect normal traffic volumes and some delays at each ferry crossing, the ministry warns.

Travellers may check www.drivebc.ca for further updates on highway conditions and delays.

 



Lachlan Labere

About the Author: Lachlan Labere

Editor of the Salmon Arm Observer, Shuswap Market, and Eagle Valley News. I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to keep our readers informed and engaged.
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