Simon Fraser Bridge - Background

The Simon Fraser Bridge was constructed in 1963 providing two-lane traffic for Highway 97 across the Fraser River and into Prince George.  To the south, the highway services the BC Rail Industrial Site which has developed through the years with numerous major forestry manufacturing plants, service-orientated businesses, heavy equipment suppliers and rail stations.

Highway 97 north of the Simon Fraser Bridge provides four-lanes through Prince George as far as the northern city limits.  Expanding the capacity of Highway 97 to four lanes across the Fraser River will tie into the existing four-lane section through the city.

In 2004, Associated Engineering was consulted to provide a functional design to increase the capacity of Highway 97 across the Fraser River and to make recommendations for improvements for the south approach and Queensway Interchange.  The Ministry utilized this functional design as a base case in preparation for delivery of the Project.

In March 2006, the Ministry initiated the Design/Build delivery process.  In October 2006 the Ministry received price proposals from three companies for the design and construction of the project.  The lowest of those proposals came in at nearly $49-million—well in excess of the project budget.  A contract was not awarded at that time and the ministry developed an alternate project delivery process that would see the project broken down into smaller components.

In November, 2006, the Ministry issued a Request for Qualifications for the design portion of the project.  Eleven engineering companies submitted proposals from which Buckland and Taylor Ltd. was selected to design the new Simon Fraser Bridge.

In the fall of 2007, bridge design was completed and the project was put to tender.  Eight bids were received for the construction of the new structure.  With the low bid of $31.6-million, Surespan Construction was awarded the contract.  Construction began in earnest in December and is scheduled for an August 2009 completion.  Bridge approach grading, paving and electrical will follow.