Construction will soon start on road work to provide better and safer access to the Site C project near Fort St. John, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone announced today. The Province has awarded the contract to A.L. Sims and Sons Ltd from Prince George.

“These roads serve both the community and provide access to the Site C project, and it’s critical that these important links in this region’s transportation system be maintained to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and construction materials,” said Stone. “Residential and industrial traffic will benefit from roads that are wider, better lit and smoother for travel.”

The $ 7.9 million of construction, being delivered in partnership with BC Hydro will include:

• Upgrading and paving 1.6 kilometres of 240 Road.
• Upgrading and paving 900 meters of 269 Road.
• Widening, paving and partially realigning 5.6 kilometres of Old Fort Road.
• Installing street lights at various intersections along Old Fort Road and 240 Road.

The road work and paving will result in a smoother riding surface, a higher level of safety and improve dust control. Wider shoulders will make the roads safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Street lights will enhance safety through improved visibility.

“These road improvements are important in supporting the construction of the Site C project as well as to ensure the safety of northern residential and industrial traffic,” said Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm. “Northeast B.C. is a region with growing economic importance, and with increasing traffic, I’m pleased the Province continues to upgrade our local transportation network.”

“With construction on the historic Site C clean energy project underway, the awarding of the road access marks an important milestone,” said Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett. “Site C will ensure B.C. continues to have a competitive advantage with a century of affordable, reliable, and clean power and a reliable road network for this project will be essential to its successful completion.”

This is the first contract that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has awarded in association with BC Hydro as part of the Site C project.

“Better and safer roads are a long-term benefit for the community from the Site C project,” said Chris O’Riley, BC Hydro deputy CEO. “We are pleased that public-road improvements will be one of the early activities taking place this summer on Site C.”

Work is expected to start this summer and be completed in September 2016.

Learn More:

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

Follow progress of the Site C project at: https://www.sitecproject.com/

Media Contacts:

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