The government of B.C. is improving safety for families, motorists and commercial drivers on Highway 33 with the construction of a new southbound passing lane and improvements to the Big White Road intersection.

The project will involve the design and construction of a 2.9-kilometre southbound passing and truck climbing lane on Highway 33. The new lane will start 500 metres north of the existing Big White Road intersection and end 600 metres south of brake check pullout, south of Big White. This will provide a safe, guaranteed passing opportunity and reduce vehicle queues up this substantial grade.

The Big White Road intersection will be relocated approximately 175 metres to the south to improve safety and access sightlines. The reconstructed intersection will have a left turn bay, northbound acceleration and deceleration lanes, and lighting, to improve safety for those accessing Big White Road.

The project is valued at $11.3 million. It is expected to go to tender before spring 2013, with completion scheduled for the end of November 2014.

This project is part of $207 million in new capital investments announced by Premier Christy Clark on Sept. 28, 2012, at the annual meeting of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities in Victoria. $122 million of this new capital investment will advance a number of transportation infrastructure projects throughout B.C., improving highway safety and mobility.

A $2.3-million project to resurface 11 kilometres of Big White Road, from 12 kilometres east of the Highway 33 junction to Kettle Valley Road in Big White Village, was completed this fall.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Mary Polak -

"Big White Ski Resort is one of our most popular winter destinations. The improvements to the intersection at Big White Road will greatly enhance the safety of Highway 33 for families heading to the resort. The passing lane will make a big difference for the commercial drivers who use this route as a connector between Highway 97 and Highway 3."

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

"Today's announcement of an $11.3 million investment towards Highway 33 is this government's recognition of the priority Okanagan residents place on road safety improvements and accessing world class tourist destinations."

Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick -

"From local families heading up for a day at the mountain, to the many tourists drawn to Big White Ski Resort, to those who rely on Highway 33 for business, this intersection is well-travelled 12 months of the year. With increased use comes the need for increased safety, so this project is very welcome news."

Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater -

"The new passing lane and moved intersection will make a big difference. Those roads see a lot of rapidly changing winter driving conditions, often when the roads are most busy. Once complete, this will mean a safer, easier drive for residents and visitors to Big White and beyond to the boundary."

Learn More:

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

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