Drivers and pedestrians heading westbound into Port Moody along the Barnet Highway may have to make some adjustments as work begins on Monday to upgrade the westbound side of the Barnet Highway overpass that is between Inlet Centre station and Dewdney Trunk Road.
The $2.1 million upgrade includes resurfacing the bridge deck as well as widening the sidewalk on the north side of the bridge to better accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. The construction is expected to last until the end of November.
Crews will resurface one lane at a time, allowing two westbound lanes to stay open. They also may do some work at night to minimize disruptions to traffic. Eastbound lanes won’t be affected.
Westbound drivers also won’t be able to turn onto Dewdney Trunk Road as the left-turn bay lane will be closed for the duration of the project. Instead drivers can use Mariner Way as a detour, or Buller Street and Golden Spike Lane as a U-turn route.
Pedestrians and cyclists will also be detoured for a portion of the project.
A report presented to Port Moody council in May said last winter’s extreme weather exacerbated the deterioration of the bridge, that is used by about 37,000 vehicles a day. But seismic upgrading of the span, the construction of a new retaining wall on the westbound side and the elimination of half-joints is being deferred until more funding can be secured. It’s estimated that work will cost another $3 million. The city did apply for $5.05 million of federal infrastructure funding in 2015 to cover all the work that’s needed on the bridge, but has yet to receive a reply.
For construction updates, as well as maps of alternate routes, go to portmoody.ca/barnetoverpass.
