The District of Sicamous and the province has provided residents with the R.W. Bruhn Bridge 2026 Newsletter to let the community know what’s been going on and what they can expect in the upcoming months.
This Highway 1 project includes approximately 1.9 km of four-laning, replacing the existing R.W. Bruhn Bridge with a new multi-lane bridge and intersection improvements between Old Sicamous Road and Silver Sands Road.
It has passed the one year mark since the construction. Since their last newsletter from the summer of 2025, pile driving and concrete infill was completed and the Building Bridges Barbecue was a success with more than 200 people in attendance.
The 2026 newsletter also provided an update about the preloading and the surcharge placement.
“Preloading is the term used to describe strengthening the ground by placing a load of sand or gravel and letting it settle, compacting the surface area prior to construction so that it is capable of supporting the weight of new infrastructure (in this case, the new bridge),” read the newsletter.
The surcharge has reached its 180-day placement milestone, and the ground below has finished settling. The newsletter said travellers will notice a change in the height of the rock in this area as it is excavated down to meet the level of the future roadway.
So what can drivers and residents expect in the upcoming months?
Once construction of the new R.W. Bruhn Bridge is complete, traffic will flow under the bridge to access Old Spallumcheen Road.
“This new access will be located further west, near the current access to Old Sicamous Road. This new access has been in construction over the last several months and excavation for phase two has begun,” the letter continued.
Blasting activities will continue closer to the bridge and Highway 1. Therefore, local traffic will be restricted to every hour on the hour access when blasting to keep the public safe.
Foundations and retaining walls are being constructed as well. “Continuous placement of concrete wall panels and fill material along with foundation installation will continue throughout the winter.”
Daytime full closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. are still in place until June 14, 2026. Single-lane alternating traffic will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and are scheduled from Monday to Saturday.
