Cusheon Creek Bridge

This project, on Salt Spring Island, plans to replace culverts that convey Cusheon Creek beneath Fulford-Ganges Road (from Blackburn Lake to Cusheon Lake) with an open bottom crossing (bridge).

In November 2021 an atmospheric river event resulted in the roadway flooding at this location, fully closing the road for several days and washing out the road shoulder. The existing culverts are undersized and fatigued. Another significant weather event may result in a complete failure of the road.

Fulford-Ganges Road is a critical connection for residents, businesses, emergency services and the transportation of goods on Salt Spring Island.

The project will:

• Construct a new two-lane, single span bridge over Cusheon Creek utilizing pre-cast concrete girders and supported on a piled foundation with pile caps
  • Removal of existing culverts and the surrounding fill material
  • Construction of a stream channel within the footprint of the removed culverts
• Revegetation Planting within riparian areas with post-construction monitoring

Environmental considerations

Qualified environmental professionals have been retained to conduct:

• Amphibian salvage isolation/sweeps
• Bird nesting sweeps
• Tree Risk Assessment (Registered Professional Forester)
• Other environmental monitoring

Erosion and Sediment Control Measures:

• Contractor will implement erosion and sediment control measures to prevent the mobilization of sediment to the surrounding environment
• Isolation measures will be in place for containing suspended sediment where in-water work is required
• Contractor will install, maintain, and monitor sediment fencing, as necessary, at the perimeter of the disturbed work areas and up-gradient ditch areas, at or close to right angles, in a manner to prevent the mobilization of sediment to surrounding environmentally sensitive areas. Sediment fencing may be necessary in areas where excavation or stockpiling occurs in close proximity to watercourses

Schedule

Early works (COMPLETED)

• March 5 to 14, 2025: Tree clearing
• April/June 2025: Utility relocations

Permanent works: Summer 2025 to Spring 2026

The contract was awarded to Windley Contracting Ltd. 

Completion: Spring 2026

The status of permanent repairs:

• Mobilization (IN PROGRESS)
• Install temporary detour bridge
• Piling for permanent bridge
• Bridge construction
• Re-instatement of two-way traffic
• Removal of temporary detour
• Winter shutdown
• Spring startup
• Bridge paving
• Revegetation planting
• Demobilization

Project benefits

• Increases resiliency of infrastructure during future extreme climate events
• Reduces flooding risk by addressing the drainage capacity of Blackburn Lake
• Addresses storm surge events and/or accumulative watershed contribution that currently overwhelm the existing drainage culverts
• Better balances water levels between Blackburn Lake and Cusheon Lake when events occur
• Provides an environmental benefit for fish passage
• Restores a more natural stream environment
• Improves safety for drivers