Work is now underway to improve safety and mobility for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on northern Vancouver Island roads, as part of B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan.

“This work to improve Highway 19 north of Campbell River and widen shoulders on Sayward Road is part of a busy construction season across the province,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “This project also supports what we heard very clearly during consultation for B.C. on the Move ─ that keeping our highways, bridges and side roads in good condition and making improvements for cycling are priorities for British Columbians.”

The three areas of work include:

• repaving 20 kilometres of Highway 19 from Eve River Bridge to Tsitika River Bridge;
• widening three kilometres of shoulders and installing rumble strips on Highway 19 in the Roberts Lake area; and
• widening and paving 10 kilometres of shoulders on Sayward Road from Highway 19 to Kelsey Way in Sayward.

A $6.4-million contract has been awarded to O.K. Industries Ltd. of Courtenay. During construction, drivers are advised to expect delays and are encouraged to check www.DriveBC.ca for current conditions. Work is expected to be finished in fall 2015.

“The highways and roads on this part of the Island are an important part of the provincial road network, serving the local population as well as the tourism and resource industries,” said Comox Valley MLA Don McRae. “This investment is great news for our communities both for everyone using the roads and for the jobs that are created.”

Quick Facts:

• 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 resurfaced annually.
• 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