OLD FORT, B.C. - Work is underway to permanently realign the road through the Old Fort landslide area as a new geotechnical assessment has concluded, the current slope risk no longer meets the definition of imminent.
The construction on a new permanent access road to the community marks another step in the area’s recovery from the landslide that disrupted access earlier this year.
ACL Construction announced Thursday it has been awarded the contract to build the permanent route south of Fort St. John. The company say work is underway.
The contract shows the earthworks portion of the project is valued at approximately $1.1 million.
The project follows emergency access work completed earlier this year after a landslide temporarily isolated the community.
A massive 400-metre-wide landslide occurred on April 20, shifting the only access road into Old Fort. This marked the third major slide in the area since 2018, isolating the riverside community of 150 residents near Fort St. John
The current temporary access route will remain in place until the new road is completed and operational.
“We’re pleased to build on our emergency response work and deliver a permanent solution for the Old Fort community,” said John McPherson, Chief Executive Officer of ACL Construction. “This project reflects our commitment to critical regional infrastructure.”
ACL previously worked alongside the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and Dawson Road Maintenance to establish a temporary route into the community.
ACL said its experience with major civil infrastructure projects in northeastern B.C., including previous landslide recovery work in 2020, helped position the company for the project.
The new road is intended to provide reliable long-term access for Old Fort residents.
The road construction announcement comes as a recent geotechnical assessment commissioned by the Peace River Regional District found the landslide risk above the community has returned to levels comparable to conditions following previous events in 2018 and 2020.
The assessment concluded the current risk does not meet the definition of imminent, although engineers noted the risk has not been eliminated.
Officials have said the temporary access road will remain open until the permanent route is completed, at which point the temporary road will be decommissioned.