Seven maintenance contractors have won this year’s Deputy Minister’s Contractor of the Year Award for highway maintenance for their work on the Highway 16 corridor.

The winners are:

• Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd. for Service Area 19 Fort George;
• Lakes District Maintenance Ltd. for Service Area 20 Robson;
• Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd. for Service Area 23 Nechako;
• Lakes District Maintenance Ltd. for Service Area 24 Lakes;
• Billabong Road & Bridge Maintenance Inc. for Service Area 25 Bulkley Nass;
• Nechako Northcoast Construction for Service Area 26 Skeena; and,
• O’Brien Road & Bridge Maintenance Ltd. for Service Area 27 North Coast.

These maintenance contractors were recognized for their dedication and hard work for implementing and delivering significantly increased levels of highway winter maintenance along the Highway 16 corridor. 

In a short timeframe, and in the middle of winter with some very challenging weather conditions, this group delivered on the ministry’s commitment to increase maintenance on this highway, making it safer and more efficient. These changes included more frequent patrols and quicker response times, with more plowing, snow removal and salt and sand applications.

Highway 16 is a critical corridor connecting communities and supporting LNG and other industrial growth in the North. It runs from Prince Rupert to the B.C. /Alberta border.  

The Deputy Minister’s Contractor of the Year Awards recognize construction and maintenance companies demonstrating excellence in the categories of grading, paving, bridges and structures, and highway maintenance work throughout the province. There is also an award for excellence in safety innovation.

The 12th annual awards were hosted by the B.C. Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association on Friday, Dec. 5 in Victoria.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone -

“Safety on our roads and highways is a top priority for this government and this award highlights the excellent work these contractors did along the Highway 16 corridor this year.  Congratulations to each team for stepping up and meeting the maintenance classification change to Class A that went into effect last February.”

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Shirley Bond -

“As is typical in the North, highway maintenance presents weather challenges along the Highway 16 corridor, as part of it is located in the interior rain forest which gets heavy precipitation. I commend our contractors for meeting these and other challenges to ensure that this route is maintained to the best possible standards.”

MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie Mike Morris -

“The award is well-deserved and I add my congratulations to this group of companies, not only for the service they provide in keeping our roads, highway and bridges safe, but also for the way they continually work to improve their level of service by taking extra measures to address issues that come up.”

MLA for Nechako Lakes John Rustad -

“Our contractors often have to deal with adverse weather conditions, traffic, and challenging elevations to keep our roads and highways in good condition, and I recognize that during significant weather events, crews are out 24 hours a day throughout the storm.  These efforts help keep B.C.’s key northern route safe and efficient for the travelling public, and support the region’s growing LNG and industrial development.”

Learn More:

Photographs of the Deputy Minister’s Contractor of the Year Award winners and finalists can be viewed at: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/celebratingexcellence/contractors.htm

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

Media Contacts:

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