The Government of B.C. continues to invest in the reliability and safety of the provincial highway and side road network through B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan.

This year’s resurfacing program kicks off with an investment of approximately $15 million for improvements to the Coquihalla Highway.

In the Kamloops area, a 25-kilometre stretch of the Coquihalla Highway northbound will be resurfaced from the Logan Lake Interchange to the Afton Overpass. Southbound on the Coquihalla, a five-kilometre section will be resurfaced from the Afton Overpass to Inks Lake Overpass.

A $6.3-million contract has been awarded to Green Roads Recycling Ltd. of Fernie for the work. This contract also includes improvements to Highway 1, with resurfacing in both directions between the Columbia Street Interchange and the Afton Overpass, a distance of eight kilometres.

In the Merritt area, a $2.8-million contract has been awarded to Peter's Bros. Construction Ltd. of Penticton to resurface a 10-kilometre stretch of Highway 5 between the Coldwater Interchange and Comstock Road.

On Highway 5, 38 kilometres north of Hope, resurfacing will take place from the Snowshed Hill north to Coquihalla Lakes. Approximately 14 kilometres of highway northbound and 16 kilometres southbound will be resurfaced. The Britton Creek rest area will also be resurfaced. This project is currently out to tender.

Work on all three projects is expected to begin this spring or early summer. Additional projects to improve the safety and reliability of B.C.’s provincial highway and side road network will be announced as they are finalized.

Rehabilitation of provincial highways and side roads is a major component of B.C. on the Move. The Province will invest $380 million over the next three years to resurface provincial highways, with 1,000 kilometres of provincial highway resurfaced annually. 

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone −

“Rehabilitation of provincial highways and side roads is a major component of our 10-year transportation plan, B.C. on the Move. These projects to improve the Coquihalla kick off a busy construction season, as we strategically invest in our provincial highway and side-road network.”

Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart −

“Because it’s a primary highway link between the Lower Mainland and the Nicola region, investing in the Coquihalla Highway is important to help keep people and goods moving safely and smoothly, and to keep our local economy rolling.”

Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness −

“From Hope north to the Alberta border, Highway 5 is an extremely important trade corridor. These improvements to the Coquihalla will make for safer, smoother travel for all motorists.” 

Quick Facts:

• Over 40 resurfacing projects are delivered throughout the province annually.
• The ministry is committing to deliver 1.8 million square metres of hot-in-place recycle paving each year - enough to cover 220 Canadian football fields. This made-in-B.C. technology reduces GHG emissions during resurfacing by up to 50%.
• During the Province’s public engagement for B.C. on the Move in fall 2014, 95% of the almost 13,000 survey respondents agreed that keeping existing highways, bridges and side roads in good condition was important.

Learn More:

Find out more about B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan, at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/

Media Contacts:

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