Much of British Columbia was impacted by heavy rains in November 2021, including sections of Highway 1, the main route of the Trans-Canada Highway through the province. Damaging a vital artery for commerce and area residents, the rains affected over 18 locations along a 140-kilometre stretch of the transport corridor. At Jackass Mountain, flooding caused a landslide that destroyed a large section of the road.

The British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (BC MoTI) was able to respond quickly and open many of the damaged sections of the highway or reroute traffic using detours. However, the situation at the Jackass Mountain location proved more challenging. To restore traffic flow as quickly and safely as possible until options for a permanent solution could be considered, BC MoTI and contractor Coquitlam Ridge Constructors Ltd. opted to use a modular steel bridge from Acrow.

The extremely steep terrain and risk of further landslides required a complex design and construction process to ensure worker safety and the project’s success. In addition, there was extensive stabilization work and road bank reconstruction needed prior to the installation of the bridge. Acrow’s single-lane structure, at 260 feet (79.25m) long with a roadway width of 13.78 feet (4.2m), was launched on January 5, 2022. Although record snowfalls and avalanches delayed work throughout the project, the bridge opened to traffic less than three weeks later.

Easily transported, quickly built and installed, Acrow’s modular bridges are ideal solutions for emergency detour applications. With decades of experience in restoring infrastructure across the globe, Acrow has the technical expertise and commitment to service excellence to ensure a successful installation under the most challenging conditions.