Road improvements and safety upgrades to the Trophy Mountain Road have been completed in support of tourism priorities in the North Thompson.

The Trophy Mountain Road is a key backcountry road allowing access to the hiking opportunities in spectacular Wells Grey Provincial Park. This investment was identified as a priority for tour operators and people trying to access B.C.'s spectacular provincial parks and will supports local business and economic development. Upgrades have been completed with $50,000 from the B.C. government.

The improvements are not only important to the local economy, but were also identified as a regional economic priority by all the communities along the Highway 5 McBride to Barrier Corridor during the Regional Economic Investment Pilot workshop held last spring.

Regional economic investment workshops are a key component of the BC Jobs Plan and aim to build off the region's collaborative approach to economic development in order to advance key projects in the tourism, energy and fibre sectors. The Highway 5 McBride to Barrier Corridor includes the regional districts of Fraser Fort George and Thompson Nicola, the communities of Barriere, Clearwater, Valemount and McBride and is home to the Secwepemc and Carrier First Nations.

As part of ongoing improvements to this corridor, the B.C. government announced a new roundabout at the junction of Highway 5 and Clearwater Valley Road to reduce the potential for serious crashes and improve safety for traffic using the corridor. Completion of the new roundabout is scheduled for September 2013.

In addition, BC Parks will be making improvements to Clearwater River Road in Wells Gray Park. These improvements are scheduled to be completed by Nov. 30, 2012.

Quotes:

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister responsible for Labour Pat Bell -

"Our government has made a commitment to work in partnership with communities through this regional economic development pilot to advance projects that create jobs and opportunity quickly. This investment is a common sense solution that will have positive impact on the local tourism sector and is a direct result of these consultations."

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"My ministry was pleased to provide funding for this upgrade, recognizing that roads help drive our economy, especially in rural areas."

North Kamloops MLA Terry Lake -

"This region has spectacular backcountry tourism opportunities and it is simple investments like this that can make a difference to our tourism operators and to the local residents that enjoy taking advantage of where they live."

Learn more:

The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Regional Economic Investment Pilot - McBride to Barrier Corridor: http://www.jti.gov.bc.ca/economic_pilots/barriere_mcbride_info.htm

Contact:

Media Contact:
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 356-8177