November 20, 2009
New Adams River Bridge Completed

SALMON ARM – The new $9,125,000 Adams River Bridge officially opens today.

"The new Adams River Bridge is a great accomplishment for our region, providing a safe route for travellers across the river in all seasons," says Shuswap MLA George Abbott.  “I commend all who worked on this project, both for the excellent design of the new bridge, as well as for completing it three weeks ahead of schedule.”

The Adams River Bridge is part of the main transportation corridor through the scenic north Shuswap and is used year round by about 5,000 residents and tourists, as well as commercial logging and service delivery traffic. The Shuswap is a significant tourist destination with a large increase in population during the summer months.  This route connects outdoor recreation trails and is near river rafting access points.

Dennis Sargent of Sargent and Associates Engineering designed a curved bridge to reduce impact on Roderick Haig Brown Park and the Adams River. It was an engineering challenge and the result is a beautiful structure that won an award from the Consulting Engineers of BC for its design.  The bridge was constructed by Forbes Industrial Contractors Ltd.

The old bridge was a single-lane 1956 timber truss structure that had a history of accidents at the bridge site as a result of a sharp curve and single lane alternating traffic flow.

For more information about local announcements, visit George’s website at www.georgeabbottmla.bc.ca

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