VIDEO: Major progress made on monumental Kicking Horse Canyon project in last year

To say the fourth and final phase of the Kicking Horse Canyon project is a massive undertaking would not do it justice.

The monumental highway project east of Golden is now one year in and the Ministry of Transportation says major progress has been made.

New bridges are under construction, while retaining walls and new highway viaducts are starting to take shape along the mountainous section of the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1).

"It is remarkable to see the transformation of this highway as the finishing touches are put on key bridges and the first year of construction nears completion," said Dominic LeBlanc, federal minister of infrastructure.

"The Kicking Horse Canyon is a vital route for commerce and commuters, and its extensive renovation will benefit the local economy and community by reducing congestion and increasing road safety.”

The year one progress includes the construction of Bighorn Bridge, the project’s longest bridge at 160 metres, where girders have recently been installed.

Eastbound lanes of the Sheep Bridge are also nearing completion, as the concrete bridge deck was recently poured.

Rob Fleming, BC’s minister of transportation, said that the engineering needed to upgrade Hwy 1 through the Kicking Horse Canyon is “absolutely extraordinary.”

"The first year of construction has been challenging, but excellent progress has been made,” he noted. “When completed, these major improvements to this section of highway will make travel better and safer for all who use it."

Phase four of the project involves realigning and widening 4.8 kilometres of Hwy 1 through the canyon and it's slated for completion in the winter of 2023-24.

Work includes the construction of four new bridges and nine new viaducts.

The route is mostly open during the day with overnight closures throughout the summer, but the next stretch of full highway closures will be coming in the fall.