Highway 3 - Hartley Creek Bridge
Last updated on July 13, 2026
May 2023
The Hartley Creek Bridge project is located on Highway 3, approximately 6 km east of downtown Fernie. It will replace a culvert with a bridge structure to provide a more reliable, resilient, and safe highway crossing.
Traffic impacts
For up-to-date information, visit www.DriveBC.ca
Status
In design
Project overview
Highway 3 is a critical transportation corridor through Fernie and the Elk Valley, supporting daily commuters, commercial goods movement, tourism, emergency services, and regional connectivity between southeastern British Columbia and Alberta.
The existing Hartley Creek crossing has experienced repeated sedimentation and debris accumulation over several years. These issues have required multiple emergency response efforts and have affected the safe and reliable operation of Highway 3, resulting in traffic delays, emergency maintenance activities, and disruptions for residents, businesses, travelers, and commercial transport operators.
Despite repeated operational interventions these concerns persist. After reviewing options and evaluating long-term solutions the bridge was chosen.
The project will include:
- Replacing the existing crossing by removing the culvert and building a new single-span steel bridge in the same location
- Installation of deep steel pile foundations, abutments at each end, steel girders, and a concrete driving surface with safety barriers
- Rebuilding and paving the roadway to provide smooth and safe bridge approaches and connections
- Improving flood protection and drainage by adding rock armouring, slope stabilization, and a sediment basin to reduce erosion and manage high water flows
- Protecting and restoring the environment with sediment control measures, improvements to fish habitat and planting of vegetation
Project benefits
- Improved highway safety and reliability
- Sustainable and resilient crossing that reduces sedimentation and debris accumulation
- Increased water flow capacity ensuring climate resiliency
- Reduced maintenance and emergency response requirements
- Environmental upgrades including improving fish passage, protecting water quality, and restoring the surrounding habitat
Schedule
Tender anticipated in 2026
Archive
Frequently asked questions
Have you assessed potential traffic congestion on Dicken Road during the proposed detour, including peak summer conditions?
Yes. Traffic counts collected in June 2025 were seasonally adjusted to reflect typical July-August volumes and used in traffic modelling software to evaluate delays, queue lengths, and Level of Service.
The analysis indicated high-density but stable traffic flow, with estimated delays of approximately 25 to 35 seconds per vehicle.
What measures will be in place to support pedestrian and cyclist safety on Dicken Road?
We recognize that pedestrians and cyclists use Dicken Road daily and we are addressing active transportation safety during construction through targeted shoulder widening where feasible and contractual requirements for the contractor to maintain pedestrian and cyclist mobility throughout construction.
The contractor will be required to prepare a detailed Traffic Management Plan, signed and sealed by a qualified Professional Engineer and approved by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit before work begins.
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