Overview
The Peace River bridge is a high-traffic structure that is part of the National Highway System. The bridge sees more than 17,000 vehicles per day, including industry and agriculture traffic.
The nearest alternate route to cross the Peace River involves a 70-km detour.
Peace River’s hospital is located on one side of the bridge with schools, fire and police services on the other. This means that access to emergency services is an issue when a collision or bridge maintenance occurs.
Twinning the Peace River Bridge will:
- address emergency access and ease congestion within the Peace River community
- provide improved access to key resource industry areas in northern Alberta
Project details
The project includes:
- construction of a new bridge structure, with traffic flowing west through Peace River on the new bridge and east through Peace River on the existing bridge
- twinning of 1.6 km of Highway 2 through Peace River
- Highway 2 interchange improvements at 98 Street and Highway 684 (Shaftesbury)
- 98 Street upgrades with new traffic circles
- a pedestrian walkway built underneath the new bridge
The contract for the Peace River Bridge twinning project was awarded to Flatiron-Aecon Joint Venture (FAJV) with a modified tender bid price of more than $148 million.
Construction Photos
Pier 4 construction in progress near west bank.
Girder launching in progress from east bank.
Detours
*In effect until construction completion.
98 Street closed
Highway 2 ramps for the Town of Peace River are closed at 98 Street, with no through traffic under the overpass.
Motorists will need to use the 100 Street interchange, located east of the 98 Street interchange to access Highway 2 and Peace River. Access to the north and south sections of the town will stay open via 94 Street and 100 Street.
Highway 2 traffic is detoured to the south through a 2-lane onsite detour at 98 Street for demolition of the existing and construction of the new 98 Street bridges.
Highway 684 closed under Highway 2
Due to Shaftesbury Interchange stage construction, Highway 684 will be closed at different times under Highway 2. Traffic will be detoured to 90 Street during these closures.
Highway 2 traffic over Highway 684 has been detoured on to the new bridge on the north side.
Speed is reduced to 50 km/hr on Highway 2, from east of 100 Street to the west of Highway 684.
Pedestrian detour on West Hill
The pedestrian trail on the north side of Highway 2 between Highway 684 and 90 Street is closed for construction of:
- the Shaftesbury interchange
- a west side approach road
- a CN overpass
Pedestrian traffic has been detoured to the south side of Highway 2.
For details Download the detour map (PDF, 132 KB).
Timeline
June 13, 2017
The first information session was held in Peace River. AECOM and Alberta Transportation representatives provided an outline of the proposed project.
Email rashid.ahmad@gov.ab.ca for copies of the information session materials.
December 2017
Bridge construction begins.
February 22, 2018
A second information session was held in Peace River. Alberta Transportation, AECOM and FAJV representatives provided updates on:
- Peace River Bridge construction
- traffic impacts
- 98 Street and Highway 684 closures and associated detours
Email rashid.ahmad@gov.ab.ca for copies of the information session materials.
February 2018
Peace River pier construction begins.
Summer and fall 2018
Construction on the:
- main Peace River Bridge (for pier construction in the river)
- Highway 684 interchange (Shaftesbury Overpass)
- CN Overpass
- secant wall at the RCMP office
- Highway 2 east and west major earthworks
Fall 2020
Expected project completion.
Benefits
This upgrade will:
- reduce congestion
- improve traffic flow and safety for travellers, local residents and businesses
- create hundreds of employment opportunities in the region
This project will help put Albertans to work, support families and local business and set the stage for future economic growth.
Contact
For more information about the Peace River Bridge twinning project, contact the Alberta Transportation Peace Region Office:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-624-6280
Fax: 780-624-2440
Email: rashid.ahmad@gov.ab.ca
Address:
Room 101, Provincial Building
9621 96 Avenue
Peace River, Alberta T8S 1T4
Open in Google Maps for directions