The Government of British Columbia is investing $5 million this year for more than 50 projects in communities throughout B.C. that will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists on provincial highways and roads.

The Community Safety Enhancement Program was launched following the 2010 Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention. Since then, 120 safety enhancement projects have been completed throughout the province. These projects focus on improving community safety while providing British Columbians with a safe and reliable highway system.

Examples of these safety enhancement projects include additional roadside and pavement reflectors, side-road lighting, speed reader boards, intersection improvements, pedestrian crosswalk upgrades and other safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians, and rest area improvements.

The projects are chosen by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure through consultation with local governments and law enforcement. Many of the projects are underway or will be completed this fall.

Quote:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone -

"All of these safety enhancement projects were chosen by the communities, by the people who use the roads and highways every day, and who will benefit the most from these improvements. Something as simple as a pedestrian warning light or speed reader board can have a big impact, making the roads safer for everyone using them."

Learn More:

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

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

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

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

BACKGROUNDER

Highway safety improvements by region

Northern B.C.:

• Buick Creek: Lighting at the intersection of Beatton River Airport Road and Buick Creek Road.
• Chetwynd: Highway access into the Chetwynd Recreation Centre.
• Dawson Creek: Improving intersection alignment at Highway 97 and 17th St.
• Endako: Lighting at the intersection of Highway 16 and Endako Mine Rd.
• Fort St. James: Improved pedestrian crosswalks throughout the district.
• Greenville: Speed reader boards at either end of the community on Highway 113.
• Haida Gwaii: Kilometre markers along Highway 16 and emergency vehicle awareness oversized signs.
• Hazelton: Lighting at the Hagwilget Bridge.
• Houston: An advanced warning light at the pedestrian crossing at Benson Road.
• Kitimat: Speed reader board on Highway 37 South at the Cable Car intersection, facing southbound traffic.
• Kitimat-Stikine: Lighting and improved signage at the Highway 37 North and Waterlily Bay intersection.
• Kitwanga: Overhead changeable message signs on Highway 16 near the Highway 37 intersection, new rest area and rest area improvements.
• Ness Lake: Lighting at the intersection of Chief Lake and Ness Lake roads.
• Prince Rupert: Improved lighting and signs along the Prince Rupert arterial road.
• Terrace: Wider pedestrian shoulders along Highway 16 from the junction of Highway 37 South and Old Skeena Bridge.
• Queen Charlotte: Inlaid markings on Highway 16 through the village.
• Valemount: Pedestrian path under the Swift Creek Bridge.
• Valemount-Prince George: Portable speed reader signs for use throughout the region.

Southern and Central Interior:

• Castlegar: Improved sightlines and warning sign enhancements along Pass Creek Road.
• Fernie: Review of existing crosswalks on the Highway 3 corridor through downtown Fernie to identify safety and operational improvements and implement recommendations for overall network improvements.
• Golden: Working with the City of Golden, design and construct a pathway and ramp that will connect pedestrians from the Highway 1 pathway to downtown Golden via the Highway 95 overpass.
• Grand Forks: Sidewalk improvements on Highway 3 at Donaldson Drive.
• Kamloops: Changeable message sign on Highway 5 north of Kamloops to better inform northbound motorists of road conditions on the Yellowhead Highway.
• Kelowna: Installation of LED chevrons, upgraded overhead flashing advisory signs and improved curve warning signage at 8 Mile Curve on Highway 33.
• Kimberley: Improved pedestrian safety by relocating the crosswalk at the Highway 95A/309th Avenue intersection, to connect to the existing pathway.
• Logan Lake: 1) Sidewalk upgrades and wheelchair accessible ramps adjacent to Highway 97D accessing the community trail network and 2) amalgamated and upgraded signs at the Highway 97C/97D intersection to reduce clutter and improve safety.
• Osoyoos: Construction of a sidewalk on the north side of the bridge over Osoyoos Lake on Highway 3.
• Warfield: Left-turn bays into the residential community of Upper Warfield and the business frontage road, and improved crosswalk at Shutek Drive.

South Coast:

• Chilliwack: Shoulder improvements on Highway 9 to increase pedestrian and cyclist safety.
• Cortez Island: Delineation to improve safety for the travelling public.
• Courtenay: Extension of the merge lane on Ryan Road near Crown Isle Drive.
• Cowichan: Improved crosswalk lighting, signage and markings on Youbou Road at Neva and Beaver roads.
• Duncan: Traffic management and improved pedestrian safety at Miller Road and the Trans-Canada Highway.
• Fraser Valley: Roadside barriers, reflectors, and signs on Hemlock Valley Road.
• Gabriola Island: Widening and shoulder improvements on Taylor Road at McConvey Road.
• Howe Sound: Installation of LED chevrons and improved delineation on Highway 1 west of the Capilano Canyon Bridge.
• Langford: Lighting and pedestrian safety enhancements on Highway 14 at Glenshire Road.
• Maple Ridge: Highway 7 improved sidewalks and wheelchair access.
• Mission: Enhanced roadside delineation on Highway 7 between River Road and 287th Street.
• Nanaimo: Pedestrian countdown timers at seven intersections in the Nanaimo area.
• Sidney: Improvements to the Ocean Avenue and 5th Street roundabout.
• Sooke: Improved signage, shoulder delineation, lines and recessed pavement markers between Langford and Port Renfrew.
• Surrey: Enhanced delineation on Highway 15 between 56th Avenue and 32nd Avenue.
• Youbou: Enhanced pedestrian safety with improved lighting and signage at Highway 18 and Youbou Road.

Contact:

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