Stewart RCMP is warning drivers to slow down during construction of the new Nass River bridge.
Between Feb. 20 and March 2 police conducted five separate construction speed zone checks with “very disappointing” results.
A total of 33 drivers were issued tickets and written warnings for speeding, with one driver also receiving a violation ticket for no drivers licence.
As crews are working to replace the Nass River bridge, located at the 142 km mark on Highway 37, North of Kitwanga, police say there is no excuse to speed throught the construction speed zone that’s very well marked along its 1.5-km length.
“The fine for speeding in a construction zone starts at $196 and goes up from there, and your vehicle could be impounded if you are traveling 40km/h over the posted speed limit,” says RCMP Cst. Rob Gardner. “We need people to slow down in these zones to keep the construction workers safe, they want to go home safely at the end of the day.”
The old single-lane timber bridge is being replaced with a $24-million two-lane structure upstream from the current crossing. The two lanes will be able to accommodate heavier commercial vehicles, and will have shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists.
READ MORE: Bigger and safer bridge to be built across the Nass
The project also includes realigning about a kilometre of the highway on each end of the bridge to improve sight lines. This new design means once construction is complete traffic will be able cross the bridge deck at 90 km/h, instead of the original 30 km/h speed limit.
The Stewart RCMP will be making regular patrols through the construction zone from now throughout the summer. Construction is slated to wrap up in the fall.
quinn@terracestandard.com
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