(Sheila Anonson)

By Jeff Johnson / David Opinko

Bridge construction causes massive delays on Highway 3 through Fernie

Jul 6, 2020 | 11:38 AM

FERNIE, B.C. – If you are heading through Southeastern B.C., be prepared to wait.

Construction is underway on the Fairy Creek Bridge near Fernie and the Carbon Creek Bridge near Sparwood, with both projects continuing until Friday, July 31st.

DriveBC warns travellers to expect delays of up to 20 minutes due to single lane alternating traffic.

However, several drivers are reporting waiting to get through delays from control lights for hours, including Elk Valley resident Chris Inglis.

“The back-up is huge and then frustrated drivers coming off of the highway and then going downtown Fernie on 2nd Avenue or down through residential areas on 6th Avenue,” Inglis says. “Speeding through residential area where there’s kids playing or kids on bikes, that could cause an issue too.”

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Inglis says it took him over three hours to travel from Lake Koocanusa to his home in Fernie because of the hold-up on the main highway. Typically, this trek should not take more than 30-45 minutes.

“It’s just a little ridiculous, I’m not sure who’s responsible for it, the bridge contractor or the Ministry of Transportation,” Inglis says. “Going east of Fernie past Tim Hortons, the traffic was backed up so far, all the way through the town of Fernie, through West Fernie, almost to the other project near the ski hill.”

Below: Elk Valley resident Sheila Anonson drives past a long line of traffic in Fernie, B.C.

Staff with the Rocky Mountain District Office of BC’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure say the delays were due to using fixed timing alternating lights.

Bridge Area Manager David Keely says those will be swapped out with lights equipped with traffic sensors, with flaggers planned to be in place during periods of heavy traffic.

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