Transportation Minister Ric McIver and Peace River mayor Tom Tarpey on the deck of the newly opened Peace River bridge (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By Shaun Penner

Peace River bridge

New Peace River bridge opens to traffic

Nov 9, 2020 | 4:27 PM

The new bridge in Peace River is finally open to traffic.

The province announced on Monday that the new three-lane bridge in the town has opened up to traffic. Construction on the bridge twinning project began in 2017, with a total completion cost of $162 million.

“The Peace River bridge project, started three years ago, was completed on time and on budget,” said Dan William, MLA for Peace River. “The twinning links our schools, hospital and services with our businesses on both sides of the mighty Peace River and is important not only for our community, but for the entire region.”

The province says the new bridge will eventually be open for westbound traffic full time, but first the existing bridge will undergo some needed upgrades starting in early 2021, with a completion date of the fall of 2022.

“This bridge is and has been a great addition to our community.,” said Mayor Tom Tarpey.

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“Throughout construction it has bolstered the local economy. Peace River is the gateway to northwestern Alberta and the Northwest Territories. This second bridge is going to expand that economic portal. Infrastructure catalyzes development. Roads and bridges are the pipelines for Alberta’s most precious resource – its people.”

The project also saw a portion of Highway 2 on either side of the bridge get twinned. The project also included interchange improvements on either side of the bridge. The new bridge also comes with a new pedestrian crossing underneath it.

The province says construction supported more than 400 jobs.