DSC_0145_webAfter months of waiting for final soil settlement, the Gateway Avenue Grade Separation project will resume construction this week. The settlement of the soil is dependent on groundwater levels; when they are high, water fills the empty spaces in the soil, preventing further settlement. However, when ground water levels are low, soil is allowed to fill in those gaps as it compacts and settles.  Crews have determined that the soil is now settled enough to safely continue work on the final phase of the project.

Part of the larger West Vancouver Freight Access project, the project builds an overpass that separates vehicle traffic from train traffic below. The new bridge will allow cars and trucks to travel over the port’s growing internal rail corridor while accessing two of the port’s five marine terminals.

Apollo, Inc., the prime contractor for the project, will begin the final stages of construction this week including paving and striping the roadway, securing railings on both sides of the bridge and constructing expansion joints to allow for expansion and contraction of the bridge. Final project completion is projected within the next six to eight weeks.