Shuswap TransCanada Highway Construction Update May 2025
Several TransCanada Highway upgrade projects have been very active over the winter:
- Replacing the aging R.W. Bruhn Bridge with a much safer new four-lane bridge.
- Replacing the Tappen overhead rail bridge with a new four lane bridge.
Bruhn Bridge Update: Reinforcement and deck patching of existing bridge is nearing completion. Pile driving is underway; night shift activities near the bridge are underway with no anticipated noise impacts. In-water trestle installation is underway.
Over the winter there have been daily closures (Monday to Saturday) from 9AM until 3PM and from 8PM until 6AM. These closures required driving the Hwy 97A detour through Grindrod, which doubles the distance from Salmon Arm to Sicamous adding about 45 minutes to the trip. The section of Hwy 97A along Mara Lake is very winding and narrow and extreme caution should be exercised during the closures as heavy commercial traffic is expected. It is advised to pick your travel times to avoid having to use this detour.
The good news is: No daytime full closures planned - June 15 to September 15, 2025
Tappen Bridge Replacement: There will be daily intermittent minor stoppages for construction equipment and trucks from Kault Hill to Ford Road over the summer. Up to one 20-minute stoppages daily (Monday to Saturday) at 1:00 pm for blasting will also occur. Traffic flip to new Tappen Overhead Eastbound Bridge was completed in November 2024. The existing Tappen Overhead Bridge removal was completed in January 2025. The construction work on this project has been very well organized and only minor delays are expected throughout the summer.
Click here for Salmon Arm Observer update.
As usual, the most current highway information can be had at: DriveBC or click here.