The government of British Columbia is moving ahead with plans to widen the Trans-Canada Highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border, to improve safety and support goods movement, trade and tourism.

Upgrades valued at $5.2 million will be coming to roads in the Shuswap this year, improving safety and travel for local residents, visitors and commercial drivers.

Upgrades valued at $8 million will be coming to three highways near Vernon this year, improving safety and travel for local residents, visitors and commercial drivers.

CMS Focus Management Services Ltd. of Victoria took the top award for Excellence in Construction Management and Supervision, at the 9th annual Deputy Minister's Consulting Engineers Awards, for its exceptional work on the 202nd Street Rapid Transit Project in Langley.

Urban Systems Ltd. of Vancouver took the top award for Design and Contract Preparation - Roads, at the 9th annual Deputy Minister's Consulting Engineers Awards, for its exceptional work on the Highway 97 Winfield to Oyama four-laning project in the Okanagan.

Cobra Electric (South Coast) Ltd. of Surrey and PBA Consulting Engineers of Vancouver took the top award for Specialized Engineering Services at the 9th annual Deputy Minister's Consulting Engineers Awards, for exceptional collaborative work on the George Massey Tunnel and Alex Fraser Bridge Advanced Traveller Information System.

SNC Lavalin took the top award for Transit Engineering Services at the 9th annual Deputy Minister's Consulting Engineers Awards for its exceptional work on the Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility Project in Kamloops.

Buckland and Taylor Ltd. of North Vancouver took the top award for Design and Contract Preparation - Structures at the 9th annual Deputy Minister's Consulting Engineers Awards, for its exceptional work on the Hagwilget Suspension Bridge Rehabilitation project near New Hazelton.

Premier Christy Clark has asked Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett to lead discussions with communities of the Northwest region of the province to look at the opportunities, benefits and challenges that are anticipated as a result of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) development.