
Temporary bridge built over the Nicola River along Highway 8/via MOTI
The BC Government says three years of work to permanently repair the Highway 8 corridor between Merritt and Spences Bridge will begin soon.
It has chosen Aecon-Emil Anderson Construction General Partnership (AEGP) – which were one of four companies in the running – to complete repairs on a 15 kilometre section of Highway 8 east of Spences Bridge which was damaged by floods in Nov. 2021.
“Working as an integrated team with the Province, design work will start this summer with construction to follow design,” the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said.
“The project includes replacing two temporary structures with permanent bridges and building approximately three kilometers of connecting highway.”
The roughly 65 kilometre long Highway 8 corridor has been broken up into 24 total worksites, the majority of which are located between the Shackan Creek and the Trans-Canada Highway.
“Construction on permanent repairs at sites 1 to 8 will be starting this fall and will be complete in late fall to winter,” a MOTI newsletter said. “Permanent repairs will start at sites 20 to 22 this winter.”
“The procurement process is underway for the permanent repairs at sites 9 and 10 with design work anticipated to begin in fall 2024. Permanent repairs at all remaining sites will begin in Spring 2025, with construction staggered until all work is completed in Winter 2027.”

A look at all of the construction sites on Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge. (Photo via BC Ministry of Transportation)
Temporary repairs to the entire highway corridor were completed in Nov. 2022, allowing the province to reopen Highway 8, with some gravel surfaces and reduced speed limits.
Should the Trans-Canada or the Coquihalla be closed for any reason, the Ministry says non-local traffic is not allowed on Highway 8 as it is an active construction zone.
For the latest on repairs and updates on repairs to Highway 8, go here.