Essential deck repairs and rehabilitation will soon be underway on the Dry Gulch Bridge, extending the life of the structure and providing safer conditions for those who travel the Coquihalla Highway.

Government is providing school districts with a total of $95 million to help them extend the life of their facilities, put new supplies in classrooms and buy new school buses. 

Students in the Fraser-Cascade School District will benefit from $1.3 million in provincial funding for school upgrade projects and classroom supplies, MLA Laurie Throness announced on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier.

A major bridge rehabilitation project on the Coquihalla Highway will begin this spring, extending the life of this steel-arch bridge, as well as increasing safety along this important corridor.

Ministry crews are preparing to re-open Highway 5 (Coquihalla) by 2 p.m. today. In anticipation of this, the ministry wants to ensure motorists are aware of conditions and:

British Columbia finished 2016 with more than $950 million worth of school construction projects underway – something the Province will be building on in 2017.

Drivers are advised that Highway 1 north of Hope and Highway 5 (Coquihalla) are fully closed in both directions due to heavy snowfall. The length of the closure of Highway 1 is unknown at this time, however the Coquihalla is expected to open at 5 p.m.

Students, teachers and staff at Coquihalla Elementary school are benefiting from a safer and larger school thanks to a $3-million new seismically safe wing with four classrooms.

Emergency health services in the Coquihalla corridor will be strengthened thanks to a planned expansion and renovation of the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre’s emergency department.