Families will benefit from a provincial investment of $24 million in highways and roads in Peace River North this year, creating local jobs and improving the condition and safety of roads in the region.

This year, more than 63 km of roads in Peace River North will be resurfaced or paved. This includes widening, strengthening and surfacing portions of Hilltop Road, Rimrock Road, Charlie Lake Road South, Old Hope Road and 100 Street. Various side roads will be strengthened, gravelled and graded, including Altona Road, Clayhurst Ferry 108 Road and the Clayhurst 111 Hill. There will also be an enhanced dust suppression program this year.

Work will begin on Phase 2 of improvements along 86th Street in Fort St. John, in partnership with the City, that will enhance access to the new hospital and include walking paths and lighting.

The Fort Nelson area will see numerous highway improvement projects including overhead lighting at Alaska Highway and Simpson Trail, the Fort Nelson Gateway intersection, and continued resurfacing on Highway 77.

This year's program will not only ensure roads and highways in Peace River North are kept in good condition, but will also create more than 120 jobs for the local economy. Over the past 10 years, the Province has invested more than $560 million to maintain and improve the highway network and community infrastructure in Peace River North.

Quotes:

MLA for Peace River North Pat Pimm -

"These improvements are great news for Peace River North. They will not only improve the quality of life in our communities, they will provide good paying jobs for families in the region. These are roads that people of the region have consistently spoken to me about and I am happy to be able to have them addressed this year."

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom -

"Keeping our highways and roads safe and reliable will have a positive impact on local residents and industry throughout Peace River North. Our work this year will improve highways in the region so that families living here continue to have a road network they can rely on."

Learn More:

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

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Contact:

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

BACKGROUNDER

Peace River North highway projects for 2012-13

86th Street Urban Upgrade - Phase 2: Construct full curb and gutter upgrade of the southern portion of 86th Street, including walking paths and lighting in Fort St. John.

Highway 77, Liard Km 83 - Km 138: Completion of project to resurface Km 83 to Km 120. Additional resurfacing of Highway 77 from Km 120 to Km 138 north of Fort Nelson.

Highway 97, Fort Nelson Gateway Intersection: Partnership with Northern Rockies Regional Municipality to construct left turn slots, deceleration lanes and signalization on Highway 97N at the intersection of the Airport Connector Road in Fort Nelson.

Highway 77, Fort Nelson River Bridge: Develop conceptual design and cost estimate for increasing load capacity of the Fort Nelson River Bridge on Highway 77, north of Fort Nelson.

North Peace Side Road Hardsurfacing: Pave various side roads including portions of Hilltop, Rimrock, Charlie Lake South, Old Hope and 100 Street Lookout.

North Peace Side Road Gravelling: Gravel and brushing along various side roads including Altona Road, Clayhurst Ferry 108 Road and Clayhurst 111 Hill.

North Peace Dust Control: Apply dust control on various side roads impacted by the oil and gas industry in the North Peace area, including Altona Road, Beryl Prairie Road and Clayhurst Ferry 108 Road. These projects are in addition to the work that Yellowhead Road and Bridge maintenance has planned for the 2012 season.

Fort Nelson Luminaires: Install luminaires at the intersection of Alaska Highway and Simpson Trail.

Contact:

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