Repairs on the North Shore’s most-hated pothole are facing delays, after the opening in the deck of the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing caused commuter chaos in December.
While the contractor responsible for the project, Miller Capilano Highway Services, had said the fixes should wrap up by the end of last week, drivers are now being advised of further overnight closures through this week.
Beginning Monday, southbound lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday evening so workers can perform additional preventative maintenance on the bridge deck, according to a statement from the Ministry of Transportation.
“Depending on the location of the work, one or two southbound lanes could be closed,” the ministry said. “Drivers can expect delays southbound during overnight travel.”
The hole in the southbound centre lane opened up on Dec. 28, causing the ministry to shut down the lane, which resulted in one of the worst gridlocks in recent memory.
Last week, Miller Capilano told the North Shore News that the fix is complicated because rebar under the road surface had corroded and failed, so crews have had to install scaffolding under the bridge deck before fresh concrete could be put back in.
The metal plate covering the pothole is now gone, according to Miller Capilano.
On Tuesday, the contractor said to expect delays as it completed emergency pothole repairs in the right southbound lane of the Lions Gate Bridge.
#BCHwy99 - Emergency pothole repairs on the #LionsGateBridge
— Miller Capilano Highway Services (@MillerCapilano4) January 10, 2023
Expect delays as crews work. @TranBC @DriveBC pic.twitter.com/IYsc7YemtA
