Work on Highway 3 two kilometres east of the Paulson Bridge — where a washout swept away a portion of the highway in May — is complete.
“[The repairs] went very well,” said Ken Lawson, division manager for the Kootenay Boundary with Emcon Services Inc.. “We were a little ahead of our projected schedule and seemed to be on budget as far as the prospective costs.”
Laswon also reported that there were no major safety issues or injuries.
“It went off with out a hitch,” he said. “It was a very successful completion.”
“We want to thank the travelling public for their patience,” added Lawson. “There were some longer delays than we desired, but they were unavoidable.”
The repairs resulted in a few positive changes for the area. By blasting rock for the repair near the washout, crews were able to improve some sight distances and enlarge some avalanche catchment areas. “… small slides and avalanches will now be less likely to affect the road,” explained Lawson.
Rock for the repairs also came from a chain-up area below the bridge, resulting in a larger, safer chain up area for truckers.