Scott Creek Bridge replacement project behind schedule
The City of Coquitlam’s replacement of Scott Creek Bridge is taking long than expected.
The new schedule estimates completion at the end of January — nearly nine months after the $2.4 million project started.
Chad Braley, Coquitlam’s manager of capital projects, said it is still difficult to provide a firm timeline, as much depends on the weather.
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The city website states completion is anticipated for spring 2024.
“We continue to monitor the traffic through the site to make sure there are no significant delays and are pushing the contractor to have the work completed as quickly as possible,” Bradley said.
The initial timeline given to city council was four to six months when the work began back in May, 2023.
Consequently, drivers will have to endure at least another six weeks of added congestion when crossing the bridge.
That congestion is also bleeding into other routes along Como Lake Avenue, Mariner Way and Westwood Street.
Since construction started, the number of bridge lanes have been halved from four to two.
The work involves jackhammering old concrete off the 48-year-old bridge’s surface, before pouring a fresh layer and adding a pathway alongside the bridge.
One half of the bridge needed to be completed before crews could start on the other side.
Bradley said the city has encountered some procurement challenges relating to the replacement of the bridge deck.
Salt had penetrated and deteriorated the bridge deck over time.
When the project began, staff had warned the timeline may need to be extended if damaged to the bridge’s structure had occurred.
The project is being co-funded by TransLink, through its Major Road Network Structures Program.
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