Premier Christy Clark announced an additional investment to the Cariboo Connector expansion, to widen 30 km of Highway 97 to four lanes between Prince George and Cache Creek.

View photos from the announcement (flickr.com)

"Expanding our transportation network is key to sustaining economic growth and protecting and creating jobs across our province," said Premier Clark. "This further investment in the Cariboo Connector will make sure our goods are getting to market faster while stimulating the local economy and providing local jobs."

The provincial government is investing $200 million over the next five years for Phase 2 of the Cariboo Connector. It is a key part of the new Transportation Sectoral Strategy that commits $700 million over the next five years to increase capacity on key provincial highways and railways to support trade and economic growth.

"This work is extremely important for families along the Highway 97 corridor through the Cariboo, and for those in the region who rely on Highway 97 for their livelihoods and mobility," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom. "Widening Highway 97 to four lanes between Cache Creek and Prince George will support economic growth that will benefit workers and families across the province."

"Our government is proud to be a partner in the Cariboo Connector revitalization project," said James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Minister Responsible for British Columbia. "Our investment in Phase 1 created jobs for British Columbians and provided an important boost to the economy when it was needed most. With the announcement of Phase 2, we are pleased that the Province is continuing to support the improvement of this important piece of infrastructure."

"Continued investment in Northern highways is critical from an economic and public safety perspective," said Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. "The investment announced today will build on the work done on Highway 97 in the first phase and will focus on improving safety along priority sections of this important industrial, commuter and recreational travel route."

"These improvements to the Cariboo Connector benefit not only residents, tourists and industry that use the highway, but they're also a huge boon to the road building and heavy construction industry," said Scott Jacob, chair of the B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association. "The good-paying jobs these and other highway improvement projects create help secure bright futures for many B.C. workers and their families."

At the completion of Phase 2, almost 50 per cent of the 440 km highway between Cache Creek and Prince George will be either three or four lanes wide, improving the safety and mobility of this important corridor.

Learn More:

Read about the Pacific Gateway Transportation Strategy 2012-2020 at http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/ourprogress/building-markets-growing-jobs/

Learn more about the work of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure at www.tranbc.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Sara MacIntyre
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
250 580-7701

Jeff Knight
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-7707

BACKGROUNDER

Cariboo Connector four-lane Phase 2 Projects

• The Cariboo Connector program is a long-term strategy by the Province of B.C. to widen the 440-km portion of Highway 97 between Cache Creek and Prince George to four lanes.

• Phase 2 of the work to widen the Cariboo Connector to four lanes consists of nine projects. This will add 30 km of new four-lane sections to Highway 97. This builds on the $240 million invested to widen the Cariboo Connector to four lanes since 2005.

• The nine new projects will all be underway by 2017. Construction will start this year on two projects, including Old Cariboo Highway to Sintich Road near Prince George and 70 Mile North, near the community of 70 Mile House.

Phase 2 four-laning projects are:

• Old Cariboo Highway to Sintich Road: four-laning between Old Cariboo Highway and Sintich Road including intersection improvements, south of Prince George.

• Stone Creek to Williams Road: four-laning between the Stone Creek Bridge and Williams Road including replacement or realignment at the CN Rail Overhead, south of Prince George.

• Quartz Road to Dragon Lake: four-laning between Quartz Road and Dragon Lake, south of Quesnel.

• Carson to Fox Mountain Road: four-laning between Carson Drive and Fox Mountain Road in Williams Lake including access management and intersection improvements.

• Williams Lake I.R. to Lexington: four-laning between the South Boundary of the Williams Lake Indian Reserve and Lexington Road.

• Stormy Road: four-laning, tying together the previously-constructed Stormy Road North and Bullock Lake Road projects, south of 100 Mile House.

• 76 Mile South: four-laning, tying together the Stormy and 70 Mile North sections, south of 100 Mile House

• 70 Mile North: four-laning starting north of Willow Road, near the community of 70 Mile House.

• Bonaparte Intersection: intersection improvements at Bonaparte intersection, north of Cache Creek.

Contacts:

Sara MacIntyre
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
250 580-7701

Jeff Knight
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-7707