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In the 1960s, the Fraser Canyon Highway was upgraded to become the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway #1). This reduced the travelling time to major centers to less than two hours and changed Lytton's economy again.2
Building the Trans-Canada Highway through the Fraser Canyon was another engineering marvel. Not only were new tunnels and bridges constructed, but much of the route had to be built through and over the old Fraser Canyon Highway, while it was kept open to traffic.3
Building the Trans Canada Highway required machinery and men.1960
Near Lytton, BC
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New tunnels were bored to bypass dangerous stretches and old tunnels were widened.New technology allowed longer, wider bridge spans that saved miles of road building.
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The new tunnels were made taller and wider, able to accommodate two lanes of traffic.1960
Near Lytton, BC
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The new crossing at Alexandra under construction.1960
Taken at Alexandra, on Highway 1
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Building one road on top of another has its share of problems.1960
Near Lytton, BC
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Once finished, the new Trans-Canada Highway became a very important shipping route for the new, heavier trucks.Shipping goods changed dramatically over this period, with trucks moving smaller and local loads and the trains concentrating on moving bulk cargo like grain, coal, sulphur and potash, as well as containers of merchandise moving across the country.
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The new Nine Mile Bridge, built for Highway 1 traffic, eliminated miles of winding road.1960
Near Nine Mile, south of Lytton
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China Bar Tunnel29 August 2004
China Bar, south of Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon
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Present Highway 1 with its heavy traffic parallels the old routes in many places.6 July 2004
At Jade Springs near Lytton
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The narrow canyon route means the old Cariboo Wagon Road, just visible above the modern highway, and the new route often overlap.13
Lytton, after the new highway.1976
Lytton, BC
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The Wally Byam Airstream Caravan at the Lytton airstrip soon after the new highway was opened.1979
Lytton, BC
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