The City of Kamloops has entered the final phase of its Overlanders Bridge rehabilitation project, with the last remaining work now focused on the Mission Flats/Summit Drive off-ramp.
While the main bridge deck reopened to four-lane traffic over the weekend, the southbound off-ramp closed this week for asphalt and membrane repairs — the last item on the project checklist. According to City Infrastructure Delivery Divisional Manager Matt Kachel, the work is expected to take place between October 8 and 15, with the full project potentially wrapping up by Tuesday, October 14, weather permitting.
“This is the final piece,” said Kachel. “We’re off the bridge deck and just working on the off-ramp now. We shifted this phase to the long weekend to avoid heavier commute times, and we’re running 24-hour shifts to get it done as quickly as possible.”
Unlike earlier stages of the project, this final segment doesn’t involve concrete or liquid-applied membranes, allowing the contractor to conduct overnight grinding and paving — something the City had previously been unable to offer due to noise restrictions and material limitations.
During this final stretch:
- The Mission Flats/Summit Drive off-ramp will be fully closed
- Three lanes of bridge traffic will remain open
- The southbound western lane and sidewalk will be closed
- Pedestrian detours and signage are in place to guide foot traffic safely
- The temporary traffic light near the south end of the bridge will remain in place until work is complete
Kachel emphasized that while the current five-day schedule is conservative, the team may finish early if conditions allow. “If we get a break in the weather, it could be sooner. But we planned for contingencies.”
The project, which began in July, came in ahead of schedule and approximately $50,000 under budget, thanks in part to efficient work from River Valley Construction Services Ltd. and no need for rework. Major components included replacing and eliminating expansion joints to prevent long-term damage, resurfacing the deck, and improving safety features such as a sand-textured epoxy coating on the multi-use pathway.
Despite some public frustration during construction, Kachel said the short-term inconvenience will pay off long term.
“The work we’ve done here extends the life of Overlanders Bridge by another 10 years,” he said. “We really appreciate everyone’s patience, and we’re almost out of your way — for a good while.”
Once all work is completed and crews are fully off-site, the temporary traffic light at the south end of the bridge will be removed and normal signal operations will resume.
