Work to twin the Nicomekl Bridge and four-lane a stretch of 152 Street in South Surrey will likely begin this month, following Surrey council’s approval of a recommended contract on Monday (March 6).
In a corporate report, city staff advised council to accept a $44-million bid submitted by B&B Heavy Civil Construction Ltd. for the work.
The company was among seven to submit bids.
The project – part of the city’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) program – includes raising and widening of 152 Street between the Nicomekl and Serpentine rivers, as well as twinning of the Nicomekl Bridge, located in the 3800-block of 152 Street.
The work is anticipated to be completed by summer 2025.
Funding is available in the proposed 2023 transportation budget, as well as $21.8 million from TransLink and the DMAF program, the report notes.
Short road closures may be needed during low-traffic summer months to facilitate construction and expedite the work, the report adds.
The changes will “increase flood protection and will result in a four-lane road and bridge crossing with cycling and pedestrian pathways,” the report states.
“152 Street is a major corridor for our City and I am pleased it is receiving such a major upgrade,” stated Mayor Brenda Locke in a release issued Wednesday (March 8) by the City of Surrey.
“The widening of this section of 152 Street to four lines will benefit not only motorists, but cyclists and pedestrians as well. It is a timely and essential project for the growing communities of South Surrey and the Grandview area.”
The work will also require relocating 25 BC Hydro poles.
Council in September 2021 approved an $863,000 contract for designing the project.
At the time, it was described as “kind of the first step in the four-laning of 152nd, eventually.”
READ MORE: Surrey awards $1M contract for Nicomekl park design
According to a corporate report at that time, approximately 22,000 vehicles use the two-lane stretch of 152 Street between the Nicomekl and Serpentine rivers daily, a number that exceeds the threshold for a four-lane road.
In addition to also having no facilities for walking or cycling, it is at risk of flooding that could result in “major economic impacts, restrict the region’s ability to respond to emergencies, and affect essential traffic flow,” the report states.
The existing Nicomekl River Bridge, meanwhile, was built in 1982. In addition to rehabilitating and twinning the structure, pedestrian and cycling pathways will be added that will also connect to the planned Nicomekl Riverfront Park.
tracy.holmes@peacearchnews.com
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