As part of B.C. on the Move, the Province’s new 10-year transportation plan, work is underway to four lane Highway 97 between Dragon Lake Road and Quartz Road south of Quesnel, to improve safety and mobility along this important corridor.

A $7.84-million contract has been awarded to Jakes Construction of Chilliwack and completion on the project is anticipated for late summer 2016.

This project is part of $200-million committed for Phase 2 of the Cariboo Connector program that will add 30 kilometres of new four-lane sections to Highway 97. This builds on the $240 million already invested through Phase 1 of the program.

Almost three kilometres of Highway 97 near Quesnel will be four laned. Acceleration and deceleration lanes will be added and the highway shoulders will be widened. Intersection improvements at Sales and Campfire Roads will include left turn bays and illumination.

B.C. on the Move is government’s new 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network. It provides a comprehensive road map for transportation investments and strategic policy actions over the next decade. The actions prioritized in B.C. on the Move will grow the economy, maintain and replace aging infrastructure, and support trade for B.C.’s expanding resource sectors through Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway.

Over the next three years, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will invest almost $2.5 billion to improve British Columbia’s transportation network.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone -

“One of the priorities in our B.C. on the Move 10-year transportation plan is to improve the capacity and reliability of our provincial roads and highways. As a vital link to northern parts of the province, work to four lane Highway 97 through the Cariboo Connector Program is a key component of that plan.”

Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes -

“The additional four-lane section south of Quesnel is welcome news. Improvements and investments to the safety and efficiency of our highways have significant, positive effects on how our residential, commercial and tourist traffic moves throughout the Cariboo and across the province.”

Learn more:

B.C. on the Move is available online at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/

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

Media Contacts:

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