The Province is investing $14.3 million in 14 different highway infrastructure improvements in the Nechako Lakes region, to improve safety for local residents and commercial drivers.

The Province is investing in highway resurfacing, intersection upgrades, side road strengthening, pedestrian safety enhancements and other work to improve travel throughout the region. This funding will go toward 14 projects, concentrating on roads that are heavily relied upon by residents and industry.

Projects range from improving sight lines by removing brush and trees along rights-of-way, to major resurfacing work. The largest of the projects will be the resurfacing of Highway 16 from the Tintagel Rest Area to Endako, a distance of just over 40 km.

Over half of this investment will be made in the Burns Lake area, and nearly $1 million is targeted for day labour projects utilizing local labour and equipment. These employment opportunities will help Burns Lake families and the local economy recover from the loss of the Babine Forest Products mill, which was destroyed by fire earlier this year.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom -

"The projects we will be working on this year in the Burns Lake area will improve highway safety and help keep goods and people moving smoothly and efficiently. We also hope this investment in our highway infrastructure, with our emphasis on day labour work, will help the community of Burns Lake on its road to recovery."

Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad -

"This is an important year for highway construction in our region, not only for the safety improvements to our roads, but for the jobs and income these projects generate. The dollars spent by construction crews in the region will be especially welcome, and we've made a special effort to ensure that day labour will be used where possible, so that local equipment operators and workers can also benefit from these projects."

Quick Facts:

The majority of projects will begin to go to tender in March. Work is expected to be complete by fall 2012.

Since 2001, the Province has invested over $342 million in Nechako Lakes for improvements to the highway network and community infrastructure.

Learn More:

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

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

BACKGROUNDER

March 21, 2012 Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

2012-13 projects in Nechako Lakes

• Highway 16: resurface over 40 km of Highway 16 between the Tintagel Rest Area and Endako.
• Highway 16: resurface three km of Highway 16 through the community of Burns Lake.
• Highway 16: improve safety at intersections along Highway 16 through Burns Lake.
• Highway 16: construct intersection and pedestrian safety improvements along Highway 16 through Houston, delivered through day labour.
• Highway 16: rehabilitate the Endako and Stellako Overhead structures on Highway 16 west of Fraser Lake.
• Highway 16: place roadside barrier at Clucultz Hill on Highway 16, west of Prince George, delivered through day labour.
• Highway 27: resurface 3 km of Highway 27 between the Stuart River Bridge and Kwah Road, south of Fort St. James.
• Highway 27: construct lighting and pedestrian improvements through the Nak'azdli Reserve and the community of Fort St. James.
• Burns Lake side road improvements: repair base, improve drainage, widen, gravel and brush along various side roads in the Burns Lake area, delivered through day labour.
• Vanderhoof area sealcoat: reseal 14 km of various side roads in the Vanderhoof area.
• Vanderhoof area side road improvements: gravel, apply dust control and brush along various side roads in the Vanderhoof area, delivered through day labour.
• Germanson Landing Road: strengthen road base, improve drainage, gravel and apply dust control on intermittent sections of the Germanson Landing Road, north of Fort St. James, delivered through day labour.
• Vanderhoof area road and bridge upgrading: improve four km of the Blackwater Road, and various other improvements to local roads, bridges and major culverts, delivered through day labour.
• Houston and Burns Lake: install speed reader boards in Houston and Burns Lake to reduce vehicle speed and improve safety.

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241