Local motorists and highway travellers will see better driving conditions on Highway 97 in the Quesnel area from a new paving project and an upcoming transportation study, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone announced today.

A $5.8-million paving project is soon to start, resurfacing approximately 35 kilometres of Highway 97 and over six kilometres of local side roads.

The ministry is also providing $300,000 over the next two years to do a Highway 97 corridor analysis to determine the traffic patterns and long-term transportation needs of Quesnel, and to assess the economic potential of an east-west connector.

“The highway and roads in Quesnel serve both the community and the local natural resource industries and it’s critical that this important link in the provincial road network be maintained to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods,” said Stone. “In B.C. on the Move, our 10-year transportation plan, we committed to work with the City of Quesnel to establish future project priorities to improve traffic flow through the downtown core. We’re looking forward to starting a much-needed study to address the area’s transportation needs.”

Resurfacing will start shortly in four main areas including:

• Highway 97 between Quartz Road and the junction with Highway 26.
• Highway 97 between Naver Road and Plett Road.
• The approach to the weigh scale located south of the junction of Highway 97 and Highway 26.
• 6.6 km of local side roads.

The recycled asphalt product generated from the milling of the pavement on Highway 97 will be re-used to resurface the local side roads. Paving will provide a smoother, more comfortable ride while improving the safety and efficiency of this critical transportation hub.

“This region is experiencing continued growth as a result of economic activity,” said MLA for Cariboo North Coralee Oakes. “The road work being done is essential to support the local and provincial traffic in the area. It’s also time to take a good hard look at the traffic movements of the area  such that we can focus on improving the movement of goods and services for the long term.”

The rehabilitation of provincial highways, bridges and side roads is a priority of B.C. on the Move, a 10-year transportation plan that outlines critical investments and improvements through the province to improve the daily lives of British Columbians.

Learn more:

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

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

Media Contacts:

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