As part of B.C. on the Move, the Province’s new 10-year transportation plan, work has begun to improve the connection between Highway 19 and north Courtenay providing better access to key destinations in the region, announced Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Todd Stone.

Once completed, the new road will better connect Highway 19 with important services in the Comox Valley such as the new Comox Valley hospital, the Little River ferry terminal and the Comox airport.

Improvements will include approximately 700 metres of new two lane road running west from the intersection of Headquarters Road and Dove Creek Road to the intersection of Piercy Road and Dove Creek Road, where Piercy Road continues on to Highway 19. The project will also include a new, two-lane bridge across the Tsolum River.

Engineering work has begun and includes survey work, geotechnical testing and detailed design, and this work is expected to be completed over the next year.

This project builds on a key component in B.C. on the Move to work with communities to improve access to and from provincial highways.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone  -

“Back in 2013 I made this project a priority for the province and the region and we made a commitment to improve access in the Comox Valley. The connector will provide a more efficient route for residents, tourists and commercial drivers heading to and from the ferry and airport and will be completed in time for the opening of the new hospital which is under construction.”

Comox Valley MLA Don McRae -

“I have long been an advocate for this project, so I’m very excited to see it move another step closer to our goal of having an improved connection in place by the time the new hospital opens in 2017.”

Comox Valley Regional District chair Bruce Jolliffe -

“Proper development of the Comox Valley's northern connector is a win for all jurisdictions in the CVRD. In addition to providing a more direct route from the inland highway to the new hospital, airport and ferries, having a “back door” to east Courtenay and Comox business and services will take pressure off the busy southern route as well as divert traffic away from the Dyke Road and the sensitive Comox estuary. And, having a full size bridge again will be a benefit for farmers in the area who currently have challenges moving their bigger pieces of equipment across the Tsolum River.”

Courtenay Mayor Larry Jangula -

“The North Courtenay Connector is one of Council’s Strategic Partnership Priorities for 2015. We look forward to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure proceeding with design work for this project, which is a very important transportation link to the City of Courtenay.”

Comox Mayor Paul Ives -

“We are pleased to see the Ministry moving forward on the design work for the North Courtenay Connector project which, when completed, will be of great benefit to residents and businesses alike located in the Town of Comox.”

Cumberland Mayor Leslie Baird -

“The North Courtenay Connector will be a benefit to all residents of the Comox Valley, improving access to key service areas and the new Comox Valley hospital.”

Quick Facts:

• The new 10-year transportation plan, B.C. on the Move, was developed incorporating feedback received from a wide-ranging public engagement, during which over 12,500 survey responses were received from British Columbians around the province, and the B.C. on the Move website was visited over 44,000 times.

Learn More:

B.C. on the Move can be found online at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/

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

Media Contacts:

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