William R. Bennett Bridge

SNC-Lavalin’s Okanagan Lake Concession Limited Partnership (OLCLP) is responsible for the total design, construction, financing, and operation of the new William R. Bennett Bridge. This is a floating bridge that spans Okanagan Lake in Kelowna, British Columbia. OLCLP has a 30-year concession agreement with the province of British Columbia.

Construction of the William R. Bennett Bridge began in July 2005, and was largely completed three months ahead of schedule. The bridge opened to traffic on May 31, 2008. The demolition and removal of the old bridge is currently underway. The $144.5 million design-build contract is being carried out by Vancouver based SNC-Lavalin Constructors (Pacific) Inc.

This corridor is the most congested stretch of highway outside of British Columbia’s lower mainland, accommodating an average of 46,000 vehicles per day. By 2017, more than 69,000 vehicles are expected to use the new bridge each day. The five-lane structure has relieved congestion along Highway 97, ensuring the safe, efficient movement of people and goods through this growing corridor.

The William R. Bennett Bridge will play a pivotal role in the growing regional economy, particularly the Okanagan’s tourism industry. As the only floating bridge in Canada and one of only eight floating bridges in the entire world, the new William R. Bennett Bridge represents a unique Canadian engineering and construction achievement.

The bridge includes east and west approaches, accommodation for cyclists and pedestrians, an elevated span to allow for the passage of marine traffic, and a 700-metre-long floating section consisting of 12 pontoons.

OLCLP manages the concession and has contracted the operations and maintenance to SNC-Lavalin O&M until the end of the 27-year concession term. The William R. Bennett Bridge and SNC-Lavalin O&M have won many awards including:
 

2008: National Award for Innovation and Excellence – Silver Award, Infrastructure category from the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships

2009: Consulting Engineers of British Columbia Award of Merit – Design of W.R. Bennett Bridge to Buckland & Taylor

2009: Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards – Transportation Award of Excellence