As a public body, the City must follow strict procurement rules which are in place to ensure transparency and best value residents. Lowest price does not always guarantee that, particularly for critical Infrastructure work on a major bridge. A Request for Proposal was issued earlier this year when the design was nearing completion. This process allowed the City to select a builder based on a balance of experience and cost, among various other factors.

The project scope was limited to servicing the joints, which required the removal and replacement of some asphalt. The remaining asphalt is still in serviceable condition. Removing additional asphalt would compromise the waterproofing membrane, which would then need to be replaced. One of the main reasons the schedule cannot be accelerated, and night work cannot be considered, is due to the complexity of repairing this membrane. Attempting this would significantly increase costs and extend the project schedule.

The project is on schedule and each milestone has been achieved so far. We are expecting to be done on time. The work is broken into several stages, each of which cannot be overlapped and needs to be done sequentially, including demolition, prep, construction, and fine tuning.

The work itself is slow and tedious. Jackhammers are used to remove only what is necessary without exposing reinforcing steel or leaving too much material behind.

Once exposed, the deck must be cleaned and dried thoroughly to ensure the waterproofing membrane bonds correctly. Improper preparation would allow moisture to penetrate, leading to faster deterioration.

The membrane is critical to protecting the deck’s integrity. The specialized concrete used in the joints takes almost a month to cure properly so it can withstand heavy truck loads.

The timing was chosen to balance traffic impacts with the need for favorable conditions for curing structural concrete and composite joints.

Warm, dry weather is essential to ensure the highest quality work.

The bridge deck is not comprised of asphalt and aggregates like roadbeds. There is a layer of asphalt over a concrete deck, which is supported by the superstructure below. The concrete deck is protected by a liquid applied membrane, which is interrupted when servicing the bridge's expansion joints.

Exposing the joint for servicing requires removal of concrete. These joints need to be rebuilt with a special cement mix, which takes time to cure. The liquid applied membrane where the asphalt was removed also has a cure time. Concrete takes almost a month to reach its full strength, and while there are ways to speed this up, they are not appropriate for this application.

In short, night work is not possible is because is takes almost a month to prep the joints and deck for traffic again making the bridge deck impassable in a vehicle during this process.

Construction hours are currently 5:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday to Saturday, and work hours may shift during periods of increased temperatures.

Time and temperature play a huge role in delivering a quality product.

Even if work were done at night, traffic control would remain in place during the curing period. Warmer daytime conditions are also necessary to ensure proper curing.

While crews may not always appear active, many tasks involve waiting for materials to cure. During those times, less visible work is carried out. The project team is committed to completing this work to the highest standard to ensure long-term safety and durability.

The most challenging part of the project is traffic control. Plans are prepared and monitored by a professional traffic engineer, with input and approval from the City’s Traffic/Transportation team. These plans account for school zones, daily traffic, and emergency access, and the current plan for Overlanders Bridge has been fully reviewed and approved.

With Overlanders Bridge operating at half capacity—and the Red Bridge out of service—congestion is unavoidable. Every driver is affected, and many are diverting to Highway 1 and Highway 5.

The Province, which is responsible for highways, has installed electronic and static signage to alert motorists of additional congestion during bridge construction.

This is largely a matter of perspective—some drivers feel it is improved, others do not. A few joints were eliminated, meaning there are fewer disruptions overall, which should result in a smoother drive. However, because of the bridge’s design, some bumps are unavoidable. The ride quality will also vary over time as the running surface wears in and as temperatures affect how the joints expand and contract.

Many factors are considered during project planning and approvals, and the City makes every effort to address as many as possible. The best way to limit vehicle emissions is to move quickly and stay on schedule.

Emergency services were involved in the planning process and traffic control plans. They have adjusted their response strategy to adapt to the current conditions. BC Ambulance, RCMP, and Kamloops Fire Rescue haven’t raised any concerns with the project team to-date.

The City also stays in constant communication with these agencies and will adjust plans if required.

A planning process is underway to explore options for reconnecting Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc lands.

The process is being led by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, in partnership with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops. It includes a conceptual design for a modern replacement bridge on the original alignment, and will also assess other transportation solutions, review traffic and site data, and evaluate how potential options could affect adjacent infrastructure.

The preferred options from the planning process are expected to be shared with the public in spring 2026. Updates will be available here: https://gov.bc.ca/tkemlupskamloopsnetwork.

The work is contained to the bridge itself, with demolition waste material being collected and reclaimed or landfilled. All new materials are also contained on the bridge deck. The contractor has made provisions to contain their worksite in a way that meets and exceeds all applicable regulations.

The City bases its maintenance program on the expertise and recommendations of professional engineers, who consider the specific type and condition of this bridge.

Emergency services have been involved in planning and have contingency plans in place.

While congestion is difficult, the work must be done carefully to ensure safety and long-term durability.