The Province is investing $25.8 million in highway infrastructure improvements in the Northwest to improve the ride, safety and efficiency of the highway network for residents, travellers and commercial drivers.

The Province is investing in highway resurfacing, intersection upgrades, side road strengthening, pedestrian safety enhancements and other priority road and bridge improvements. This funding will not only ensure Northwest roads and bridges are kept in good condition, but will also create more than 125 jobs for the local economy.

The largest of the projects will be the resurfacing of approximately 34 km of Highway 16 between Khyex River and Kasiks River, west of Terrace. This project supports the northern resource industry through improvements to this key east/west corridor that provides access to the Port of Prince Rupert. A $7.75-million contract has been awarded to Peter's Bros. Construction. Work is scheduled to begin this May.

On Highway 37, two sealcoat projects continue the Province's work to upgrade this vital north-south transportation corridor and support of the developing mining industry and construction of the Northwest Transmission Line.

Since 2001, the Province has invested nearly $1 billion in the Northwest in highway improvements, maintenance and community infrastructure improvements.

Quote:

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom -

"The Northwest plays an important role in the province's economic well-being, and investing in our transportation network is a vital part of ensuring that continues. We want to ensure the region has safe, reliable infrastructure to move products to market and support jobs and economic growth."

Learn More:

Follow the work of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online at: www.tranbc.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

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

BACKGROUNDER

April 23, 2012 Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

2012-13 projects in the Northwest

Highway 16: resurface approximately 34 km of Highway 16 between Khyex River and Kasiks River, west of Terrace.

Highway 37N: sealcoat 92 km between Hodder Lake and Burrage airstrip, north of Kitwanga.

Highway 37N: sealcoat 41 km of Highway 37N between Ealue Lake and Stikine Hill, south of Dease Lake.

Highway 37N: widen shoulders along Highway 37 from 9 Mile to Sawmill, north of Dease Lake.

Highway 37N: brushing along Highway 37N between Bob Quinn and Deltaic Creek.

Highway 113: replace the temporary one-lane structure with a new two-lane structure located over the Diskangieg Creek, near Greenville.

New Hazelton Hi-level Road: rehabilitate the Hagwilget Bridge.

Smithers area rural side road improvements: improve local side roads through improvements such as widening, gravelling and reconstruction of drainage structures.

Highway 16: remove mountain pine beetle-killed dangerous trees and brush along various highway rights-of-way in the Smithers area.

Kispiox Road: repair road base and sealcoat 10 km of the Kispiox Road near Hazelton.

Glacier Gulch Road: sealcoat three km of the Glacier Gulch Road west of Smithers.

Highway 16: install lighting at the Hungry Hill chain-up/off site on Highway 16, east of Smithers.

Terrace area rural side road improvements: improve local area side roads, including the sealcoating of various side roads in the north Terrace area.

Highway 37 and Highway 113: place roadside barrier along Highway 37 south of Terrace and along Highway 113 north of Terrace.

Highway 62: install a pullout on Highway 62 near the Canyon Lookout in Old Hazelton.

Highway 16: install crosswalk on Highway 16 in Telkwa and other pedestrian improvements.

Masset: improve sidewalk along Raven Road between Masset and Old Masset.

Speed reader boards: install speed reader boards in Prince Rupert, Port Edward and Hazelton.

Contact:

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