British Columbia Highway 1 – Nicomen River Bridge Replacement (TAC Infrastructure Achievement Award: 2025 Finalists)

In partnership with Kiewit

After unprecedented flooding in 2021, a major bridge over the Nicomen River in southern British Columbia had to be replaced. Several key innovations and adaptations enabled by the Alliance delivery model allowed the project team to overcome cost and schedule challenges related to high-risk steel demolition and erection, as well as expectations for weak soil conditions, and led to the project finishing early and under budget. The bridge design reduced ongoing maintenance requirements by using weathering steel, eliminating deck joints, and locating piers to minimize the risk of scour; an adjustment to the grade of the bridge improved regional freight mobility by increasing clearance under a nearby railway underpass; and riprap design helped safeguard sensitive fish habitat while reducing delay. During construction, the project team also surpassed stretch diversity goals for employment and successfully built a strong working relationship with the nearby Nlaka’pamux First Nation community.

Presenters:  Alex Breese and Michael George