The BC Government says one year of rehabilitation work on the Halston Bridge in Kamloops will begin this spring.

It says the project, which is now out to tender, includes resurfacing of the bridge deck, replacement of the deck joints, and improvements at the east abutment.

“Construction is expected to start in May 2023 and finish by the end of May 2024,” the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said in a statement.

“During construction, two of the four travel lanes on the bridge will be closed at a time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, reducing the crossing to one lane in each direction.”

With resurfacing and utility work taking place on Fortune Drive between Oak Road and the Overlanders Bridge until the end of June, there could be some major traffic impacts to people trying to get to or from the Kamloops North Shore.

“Essential vehicles like Kamloops Fire and Rescue, BC EHS, RCMP and BC Transit buses will be given priority access through the construction area [on the Halston],” the ministry added.

It says once complete, the Halston bridge which carries approximately 23,000 vehicles a day and connects Highway 5 North with North Kamloops, will be safer and require less surface maintenance than before.