Rainfall events in 2021 had major impacts on highways and highway structures throughout southern BC. One of the most heavily damaged routes was Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge. Large portions of Highway 8 were destroyed by the Atmospheric River (AR) event. Response works were completed in 2022 to restore single-lane traffic along the highway. The permanent design and construction of the most technically challenging sites was then delivered for the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT) using an Alliance contract model. BASIS and Urban worked collaboratively with the Owner and the key construction partners (EAC and AECON) to deliver design and construction.

The Nicola Valley Partners Alliance (NVPA) project included two permanent bridges (125m and 95m long), design of the 3km of highway adjacent to the bridges, and context sensitive hydrotechnical and environmental design for the fish-bearing Nicola River. NVPA set an ambitious target to have the bridges open to two-lane traffic by the end of 2025, approx. 15-months after design began. This included permitting, investigation work, concept/detailed design, and construction to restore two-lanes of traffic. The Alliance model was selected to accelerate schedule by incorporating constructability and Owner reviews concurrent to design development. This eliminated the typical approval stages as the Owner was directly involved in design and construction development.

NVPA collaborated with the Nlaka’pamux communities and worked closely with the 3 lead communities; Cook’s Ferry Indian Band, Shackan Indian Band, and Nooaitch Indian Band. This included engagement through the design and construction phases and collaboration to involve local resources in the project. Indigenous workers were hired and trained for various roles including Cultural/Environmental Monitors, heavy equipment operators, and traffic control. The project employed 49 Indigenous workers and 131 equity group workers.

The design team worked closely with the Owner and Contractor to reduce timelines on critical path items. Innovative methods were used for the bridges which governed the schedule. Steel and concrete girders were used to allow two fabricators to work on the project concurrently. Precast deck panels incorporating the bridge overhang eliminated the need for forming and saved several construction weeks. The bridge criteria allowed the loss of the approach embankments in extreme floods, rather than requiring lengthening of the bridges. Design details for the bridges promoted long term durability including the elimination of deck joints and minimizing replaceable components.

Temporary working platforms were constructed to access pier locations allowing work to proceed with fluctuating river levels. This required close coordination with environmental regulators. Feedback from local Indigenous groups preferring less riprap material on the riverbanks was incorporated where feasible. NVPA also involved the Indigenous communities throughout the course of the project through information sharing sessions, drum making workshops, blessing ceremonies, and the incorporation of features to highlight the history of the valley.

The roadway design considered numerous constraints such as Indigenous Reserve Lands and private property as well as archaeological sites along the highway alignment. Design adjustments were made to minimize impacts without compromising safety or reliability.

The NVPA achieved the critical milestone of opening to two-lane traffic by the end of 2025 through a collaborative approach that expedited solutions. The team overcame unseen difficulties during fabrication and construction, including significant challenges with precast concrete components and erection of the steel girders. Local communities and Indigenous groups expressed their satisfaction with the results and the level of engagement throughout the project.