Upgrades valued at $8 million will be coming to three highways near Vernon this year, improving safety and travel for local residents, visitors and commercial drivers.

Sections of Highway 6 between Hamilton Flats and the top of Mine Hill, approximately 17 kilometres east of Lumby, will be resurfaced, improving travel on this important link between the Okanagan and Kootenays.

This $2.19-million contract for the Highway 6 resurfacing work has been awarded to Okanagan Aggregates from Armstrong. Work will start this summer and is scheduled to be completed by mid-September.

In Spallumcheen, the Highway 97A/Eagle Rock Road intersection will get safety improvements. Protected left turn bays and a southbound deceleration lane will be added to improve safety for highway travellers and those accessing Eagle Rock Road. The intersection will also be upgraded to improve sight lines. This project will go to tender this spring.

Highway 97 between 15th Avenue and Bailey Road will be resurfaced this year. The highway will be resurfaced for a distance of approximately nine kilometres. This project will go to tender in the spring.

This work builds on the $1.3 billion invested in highway improvements in the Thompson-Okanagan since 2001.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Mary Polak -

"This work near Vernon will improve the ride and safety on three sections of highway popular with visitors to the Okanagan Valley. Not only do these projects upgrade infrastructure that's important to families and to the economy in the region, they will also generate good-paying jobs."

Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster -

"The roads in our region see large numbers of travelers and varied weather conditions. These upgrades will ensure we can meet future transportation needs and improve traveler safety - our number one priority."

Learn More:

Learn more about transportation projects happening throughout B.C. at: www.th.gov.bc.ca/tranprojectsbc/

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