A $2.6-million contract has been awarded to Hoban Equipment of Salmon Arm to upgrade key sections of three side roads in the Tate Creek area.

The project will make improvements to over 13 km of roads in the area that are frequently used by industry. The road base will be upgraded and the surface will be double seal-coated to minimize dust while improving the road surface for residents and industry. Work will begin in June and finish in late July. Roads to be upgraded include:

* North Tate Creek Road (3.8 km)

* South Tate Creek Road (7 km)

* Lansfried Road (2.5 km)

These improvements are funded through the Oil and Gas Rural Road Improvement Program. Over the past eight years, this side-road improvement program in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Mines has resulted in over 1,400 km of strengthened and widened road, and more than 800 km of road has been hard-surfaced.

Quote:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom:

"This work in the Tate Creek area is being done to improve safety for local residents. The seal-coating will help keep the dust down and improve the quality of life for families in the area, while providing a stronger, safer road network for the oil and gas industry."

Quick Facts:

* Of the more than 19,000 km of dirt and gravel roads in the province, 3,000 km are located in the Peace.

* The Province has invested more than $925 million in road and bridge improvements and maintenance in the Northeast since 2001.

* The ministry has committed more than $1.2 million for dust suppression along dirt and gravel roads in the Peace this year.

Learn More:

Follow the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online at: http://tranbc.ca

Contact:

Jeff Knight

Communications Manager

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

250 356-7707

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect