Don Urquhart, Times-Chronicle
Traffic on Hwy. 3 across the Osoyoos Trestle Bridge is set to narrow to a single alternating lane for nearly 10 days as repair works are undertaken.
Two large highway information signs appeared on the east- and west-bound lanes of Main Street (Hwy. 3) in Osoyoos on Friday, March 11 warning of impending bridge work.
The signs which highlight 10 days of traffic disruptions from March 21 to March 31 sent social media threads into overdrive.
Responding to questions from the Times-Chronicle, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) said: “The ministry will be carrying out some rehabilitative work on the west approach to the Osoyoos Trestle Bridge to stabilize the earthen foundation material adjacent to the bridge abutment.
“Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Travellers can expect minor delays with single-lane alternating traffic.”
Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff noted that because of town noise bylaws “they can’t work at night so they’re having to do it during the day which is going to cause some lineups.”
According to MOTI, construction crews will also construct a shear connection between the bridge deck and stringers at both abutments.
This will require jack-hammering of the bridge deck and asphalt in order to make a pocket for the shear connection.
