People who travel along the Trans-Canada Highway through Chase will soon see crews working to further improve safety and efficiency.

The tender has been issued for the Chase Creek Road to Chase West four-laning project. This section of Highway 1 is being expanded, making it safer for travellers, including commercial truck drivers.

"It’s important we keep moving forward on major projects that will spur economic recovery and help build out of this pandemic,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “This project, delivered under our Community Benefits Agreement, will ensure that local workers are employed and that communities will benefit during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Provincial construction sites have protocols and policies in place that follow the requirements of the provincial health officer to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These include reducing in-person meetings and gatherings, holding meetings outdoors and ensuring physical distancing of workers throughout the work day. These measures, along with other work protocols such as daily cleaning and sanitizing of common areas and surfaces, will help ensure worker and public safety.

“Our government’s priority is keeping workplaces safe as we continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Trevena said. “We’re ensuring crews will be working in a safe environment as we deliver this project that will keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently.”

Along with widening 3.3 kilometres of Highway 1 to four lanes with a central median barrier, work on this project also includes:

• at-grade protected T-intersection at both Chase Creek Road and Shuswap Avenue;
• a grade separated pedestrian crossing and multi-use pathway to link the Neskonlith Indian Band and the Village of Chase communities;
• a cattle underpass to comply with Agricultural Land Commission requirements; and
• conversion of the existing highway to frontage road to consolidate access.

Once the contract is awarded through an open bidding process, work is expected to begin late this summer.

The project is being delivered under the Province’s Community Benefits Agreement, which prioritizes hiring local workers, Indigenous peoples, women, people with disabilities and other under-represented groups to do the work in a safe, welcoming work environment. This project will help diversify and grow B.C.’s skilled workforce and support well-paying careers in local communities.   

Learn More:

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit:  http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/Covid-19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week.

For guidance to construction sites operating during COVID-19, visit: http://ow.ly/P7WS50z8hNT

Highway 1 four-laning program: http://www.bchwy1.ca/

Job opportunities for the Chase four-laning project: https://www.bcib.ca/

A backgrounder follows.