With the warmer weather comes construction season, and this year, a few major projects in Quesnel will be happening at the same time. This means that several major routes will be impacted, and there will be delays and longer commute times as a result. Signage and detours will be in place. Please plan your routes accordingly and allow extra time to reach your destination.
We recognize this is inconvenient, but these projects need to be completed during the construction season when contractors are available. We'll be working with the contractors to minimize the inconvenience wherever possible.
Updates will be provided on the City of Quesnel social media channels and this page as projects progress.
Please note that no construction activities will take place from July 18-21 for Billy Barker Days. However, road closures and detours will remain in effect.
Construction Projects
The Johnston Bridge will be closed the week of Monday, July 8 to the early fall of 2024 for phase I of the Johnston Bridge rehabilitation project. Northbound and southbound traffic will detour through Johnston Subdivision and North Star Rd. The Johnston Bridge will remain open for pedestrian traffic only.
Phase I work includes the installation of approximately 90 m of water main and sanitary main under the railway track, a new fire hydrant, and road restoration.
Updates:
October 7, 2024
Crews will be paving Davie St at the north end of Johnston Bridge starting at 7 am on Tuesday, October 8. The bridge will be closed until the work is complete. Traffic control will be in place. Johnston Bridge will be open to pedestrians, but the CN pedestrian overpass may not be accessible. Pedestrians can detour to Front Street via the Riverfront Trail. This work is weather-dependent and may change on short notice.
September 25, 2024
The Johnston Bridge will be closed for maintenance on Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27, from 7 pm to 3 am. Northbound and southbound traffic will detour through Johnston Subdivision and North Star Rd. The Johnston Bridge will remain open for pedestrian traffic only. Traffic control will be in place.
August 30, 2024
The Johnston Bridge will reopen to two-way traffic this evening. The existing weight restrictions will remain in place. Please drive with caution as there is loose gravel on the unpaved section. The bridge will temporarily close to complete the final work, including paving. We will post the closure dates as soon as they are confirmed.
July 10, 2024
Johnston Bridge is now closed. The bridge remains open to pedestrian traffic only. Northbound and southbound traffic will detour through Johnston Subdivision and North Star Rd.
The Quesnel School District has hired a general contractor to begin the installation of water, sewer, street lighting, sidewalk, and road on Nadeau St in preparation for building the new Carson Elementary School. Residents can expect Nadeau St between Nickel Ridge Ave and Johnston Ave to be closed soon, reopening in late fall. During this time, the Nadeau St and Hwy 97 intersection will be the only exit and entry point for Carson Subdivision.
Updates:
November 6, 2024
Nadeau St is now open to traffic and civil construction will begin again in the spring.
July 25, 2024
Nadeau St is now closed between Nickel Ridge Ave and Johnston Ave.
To access Carson Subdivision from the south, traffic must turn around downtown, then turn right on Nadeau St.
Signage will be put in place to prevent vehicles from using unsafe locations, such as Chuck Beath Park, as turnaround spots.
Due to the damage from an over-height load, the Moffat Bridge will undergo repairs in the coming weeks. North Fraser Dr will be closed under Moffat Bridge during repairs. Work will commence between 7 pm - 7 am. Part of the project will require single-lane alternating traffic on the bridge. The start date is to be determined.
Updates:
September 19, 2024
Starting Thursday, September 19 to Thursday, October 10, the Moffat Bridge will be under repair and restricted to 27,000 kg Gross Vehicle Weight during construction. Construction will occur between 7 pm and 7 am, Sunday to Saturday with Traffic Control in place.
Vehicles exceeding 27,000 kg will not be permitted to cross the Moffat Bridge during construction hours or as directed by traffic control personnel.
Traffic will be allowed to operate normally from 7 am to 7 pm with no restrictions.
Lewis Dr, between Perry St and Pierce Cr, will receive a new water main and be resurfaced. This project will continue until September 2024. Detours are subject to change. Please see the updates below.
Updates:
July 11, 2024
Lewis Dr, between Patchett St and Pierce Cr is closed to traffic with a detour in place at Patchett St and Dawson St (road closure in red).
A road has been opened between Panagrot Ave and Picard Ave for detour/access (opened road in yellow).
FAQs
These are important projects for the community (new school, rehabilitated bridge) that need to be completed during the construction season when contractors are available. It is not possible to fix the utilities on Johnston Bridge or prepare Nadeau street for a new school without closures.
The City recognizes that these projects do create inconveniences and will work with the contractors to minimize them wherever possible. Updates on the projects will be available on the City’s website and social media.
Anyone coming from the South will need to travel towards downtown and find an appropriate spot to circle back – such as turning up Davie Street.
Signage will be put in place to prevent vehicles from using unsafe locations, such as Chuck Beath Park, as turnaround spots.
This would have had to go through private property, creating significant extra expenses and liability.
This year is the first phase, which includes the installation of approximately 90 m of water main and sanitary main, a new fire hydrant, and road restoration.
Planning is underway for next year and the second phase, which is the rehabilitation of the bridge structure. The bridge will then be closed again.
Should an incident occur resulting in the Quesnel River Bridge being temporarily closed, reopening the Johnston Bridge will be possible, however it would not be immediate. As with any incident, emergency crews would respond accordingly, reopening the Quesnel River Bridge as quickly as possible.