Construction to widen an additional 10.5 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway to four lanes east of Kamloops will get underway this summer, improving safety on this section of Highway 1 for all motorists.

Two contracts totalling over $28 million have been awarded to 672462 BC Ltd. of Kamloops for construction of the second phase of the Monte Creek to Pritchard Project and the first phase of the Pritchard to Hoffman's Bluff projects.

An estimated 140 jobs will be created over the life of these projects. Work on both projects is expected to begin in the next few weeks.

The second phase of the Monte Creek to Pritchard project will widen a 7.5-kilometre section of Highway 1 to four lanes, and includes a grade-separated interchange at Pritchard. This work will improve safety and increase capacity on this important route for commuters, commercial traffic and tourists. This project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2015.

The first phase of the Pritchard to Hoffman's Bluff project will widen a three kilometre section of Highway 1 to four lanes and construct a new safer intersection at Stoney Flats Road. This project is scheduled for completion in 2014.

This work is part of the B.C. government's commitment to invest $650 million over 10 years into Highway 1 between Kamloops and the Alberta border. The Highway 1 Kamloops to Alberta Four-Laning Program will create 3,300 direct jobs over the next 10 years.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone -

"This work is part of our government's commitment to improve the safety and reliability of the Trans-Canada Highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border."

"Not only are these projects important for the safety improvements they make, they're important for the jobs they create. In this case, it's great to see a local Kamloops company awarded the contracts for the work."

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

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

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

Highway 1 project overviews

Highway 1 - Monte Creek to Pritchard Phase 2:

Phase 2 of the Monte Creek to Pritchard project is located 30 kilometres east of Kamloops at the Monte Creek interchange.

• 7.5 kilometres of Highway 1 will be widened to four lanes, with a grade-separated interchange at Pritchard.

• The new interchange at Pritchard will significantly improve access to and from the Trans-Canada Highway for local residents.

• Safety improvements include 2.5-metre-wide paved shoulders and a 2.6-metre-wide median with concrete barrier.

• There also will be improved access to the highway with turn lanes, deceleration lanes and new frontage roads.

• The total cost of the Monte Creek to Pritchard project is $49 million.

• The Government of Canada is contributing up to a maximum of $16.7 million through the Building Canada Fund.

• The government of B.C. is investing $32.3 million for this highway safety improvement.

• Work will start in late June 2013. Completion is scheduled for the summer of 2015.

Highway 1 - Pritchard to Hoffman's Bluff Phase 1:

Phase 1 of the Pritchard to Hoffman's Bluff project is located approximately 42 kilometres east of Kamloops.

• Three kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway will be widened from two lanes to four lanes.

• To improve safety on this stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway, a 2.6-metre-wide median with a barrier will divide the highway.

• The shoulders will be 2.5 metres wide to improve safety for motorists and cyclists, and rumble strips will be added.

• A new intersection with a centre merge lane at Stoney Flats Road will consolidate two intersections and five private access roads to further improve access safety.

• Phase 1 of the Pritchard to Hoffman's Bluff project is valued at $19.3 million.

• The total cost of the six-kilometre Pritchard to Hoffman's Bluff project is $61.6 million.

• The Government of Canada is contributing a maximum of $26.9 million through the Building Canada Fund.

• The Government of B.C. will invest $34.7 million for this highway safety improvement.

• Work will start in late June 2013. Completion is scheduled for 2014.

Contact:

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