The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure's 2012 Community Service Initiative, in partnership with the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association, has resulted in the completion of local infrastructure improvements that will benefit families in many communities around the province.

This is the second year that the ministry has partnered with its highway-maintenance contractors to undertake improvements in smaller B.C. communities. Ministry staff and staff from local highway-maintenance contractors volunteer their time, expertise and equipment for projects that benefit local residents by improving community infrastructure.

An example of this community work is in Groundbirch, where staff from the ministry and Caribou Road Services teamed up to make improvements at the McLeod Skating Rink, including painting rink boards, placing gravel for the parking lot, and adding light poles.

The ministry has also invested an additional $5 million this year to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists on highways in and near B.C. communities.

Examples of the projects include installation of speed-reader boards in Burns Lake and lighting upgrades in Fort Nelson. These projects were chosen by the ministry through consultation with local governments and law enforcement.

Under B.C.'s Family Agenda, government is working hard to improve the safety of roads and highways that connect families across every region of British Columbia. To learn about more road safety actions, visit www.familiesfirstbc.ca.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Mary Polak -

"I'd like to thank the staff who volunteered their time to make these community-service projects possible for the benefit of communities around the province. These are grassroots projects that help to make our communities more liveable and enjoyable. It's inspiring to see ministry staff roll up their sleeves and help out."

"We want the highways that connect our communities to be as safe as possible. The safety-enhancement projects that we've completed this year were identified as priorities by local governments and police. They will improve safety on the road for families in communities throughout the province."

BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association President Jack Davidson -

"It's important to the men and women who work for our highway maintenance contractors to help out with these local community service projects. This volunteer work benefits everyone in the areas in which our members work and live, and it's another example of how our highway-maintenance contractors give back to the community."

Learn More:

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

A backgrounder follows.

BACKGROUNDER

Ministry/Maintenance Contractor Community Service Projects in Northern B.C.

• Salmon Valley: Various improvements to the Salmon Valley gymkhana centre, including the addition of new sand in the arena, moving the gate into the arena, gravelling the driveway and cleaning the bleachers. In co-operation with Yellowhead Road & Bridge (Fort George) Ltd.
• Valemount: Construction of approximately 500m of path connecting Big Foot Trail with George Hicks Park, and improving the path under Swift Creek Bridge. In co-operation with Lakes District Maintenance Ltd., Robson Division
• Groundbirch: Improvements to the McLeod Skating Rink, including painting rink boards, placing gravel for the parking lot, providing an entrance door for ice-cleaning equipment and installation of two additional light poles. In co-operation with Caribou Road Services (South) Ltd.
• Cecil Lake: Improvements to the Cecil Lake Community Hall picnic site, including creation of a defined eating area, installation of three new picnic tables and a new fire pit. In co-operation with Yellowhead Road & Bridge (North Peace) Ltd.
• Fort Fraser: Improvements to the Fort Fraser community common area, including gravel and grading of access and loop parking lot, and construction of a gravel path from parking areas to the information kiosk. In co-operation with Yellowhead Road & Bridge (Vanderhoof) Ltd.
• Granisle: Preparation of grounds for construction at the Granisle Community Grandstand, including hauling of waste material from the new grandstand site. In co-operation with Lakes District Maintenance Ltd., Burns Lake
• Houston: Improvements to the Morice Mountain Nordic Ski Club's parking lot, including grading. In co-operation with Lakes District Maintenance Ltd.
• Rural Bulkley Valley: Improvements to the Driftwood Hall parking lot, including gravelling and event sideboard installation. In co-operation with Billabong Road & Bridge Maintenance Inc.
• New Hazelton: Improvements to the Lions Hall parking lot, including gravelling and installation of concrete roadside barrier. In co-operation with Billabong Road & Bridge Maintenance Inc.
• West of Terrace: Partnered with the local power boat squadron to improve the boat launch area to provide access to the Skeena River. In co-operation with Nechako Northcoast Construction Services (141187 Ventures Ltd.).
• Massett: Purchase and installation of two benches along the pedestrian pathway between Massett and Old Massett. In co-operation with O'Brien Road & Bridge Maintenance Ltd.
• Dease Lake: Improvements to the parking lot and ball diamond by grading and adding new crush to level the area. In co-operation with Lakes District Maintenance Ltd.
• Iskut: Improvements to a local trail network adjacent to Highway 37, including brushing and ditching. In co-operation with Lakes District Maintenance Ltd.

Highway safety improvements in Northern B.C.

The following safety improvement projects are complete:

• Burns Lake: Install a speed-reader board on Highway 16 in the Village of Burns Lake.
• Chetwynd: Install a pedestrian-activated traffic signal on Highway 97N at 46th Street.
• Fort Fraser: Install speed reader boards on Highway 16 in Fort Fraser.
• Fort St. James: Install a pedestrian activated signal at a key intersection and new luminaires on Highway 27 through the Nak'azdli Reserve.
• Fort Nelson: Lighting improvements at the intersection of the Alaska Highway and 55th Street.
• Groundbirch: Install two luminaires on Road 265 at the McLeod School and Community Hall.
• Hazelton: Install a speed-reader board on Highway 16 in Hazelton.
• Houston: Design and construction of intersection and pedestrian improvements on the Highway 16 arterial through Houston, and install a speed-reader board in Houston.
• McBride: Install speed-reader boards and regulatory signs at the intersection of Highway 16 and Main Street.
• Old Hazelton: Construct a pull-out on Highway 62 near Canyon Lookout.
• Port Edward: Install two speed-reader boards on the arterial road in Port Edward, one on each end of the school zone.
• Prince Rupert: Install a speed-reader board on Park Avenue in Prince Rupert.
• Old Masset: Pedestrian improvements along Raven Road between Masset and Old Masset.
• Rolla: Install five LED streetlights at the intersection of Rolla Road and Sweetwater Road.
• Telkwa: Install two crosswalks on Highway 16 and a speed-reader board in Telkwa.

Contact:

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