Construction is now finished on three more kilometres of upgrades that will improve safety and reliability on the Trans-Canada Highway, announced Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and B.C.’s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone.

Work began in 2013 on the first phase of the Pritchard to Hoffman’s Bluff project, located approximately 40 kilometres east of Kamloops. The first three kilometres of four-laning between Pritchard and Willow Rd. is now open to traffic and includes a new, safer access for residents and visitors via Stoney Flats Rd. Construction continues on the remaining section through Hoffman’s Bluff and is anticipated to be completed in fall 2016.

During construction, motorists are reminded to obey traffic control personnel and construction speed limits, and watch for workers and highway message boards. Information for travellers is also posted on: www.DriveBC.ca

The Province is working with Neskonlith and Sexqeltkemc te Secwepemc and Tk’emlups to ensure protection of culturally sensitive areas. This project is a result of close collaboration with Secwepemc in the area to minimize the impacts of construction and preserve culturally significant sites on the Highway 1 corridor.

Quick Facts:

• The total cost of both phases of the Pritchard to Hoffman’s Bluff project is $61.6 million. The Government of Canada is contributing a maximum of $26.9 million through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component. The Government of British Columbia is investing $34.7 million for this highway safety improvement.
• The total cost of phase one is estimated at $19.3 million.
• Phase two of the Pritchard to Hoffman’s Bluff project is estimated to cost $42.3 million, and involves straightening and four-laning a 3.1-kilometre section of highway.
• The Highway 1 Kamloops to Alberta Four-Laning Program will create 3,300 direct jobs over the duration of the 10-year program.
• These improvements are part of the province’s B.C. on the Move initiative, a new 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network providing a comprehensive road map for transportation investments and strategic policy actions.

Quotes:

Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification and Member of Parliament for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo –

“By investing in this project, we are improving driving conditions, making it safer for residents and travellers along this heavily-used stretch of Highway 1. Our Government is committed to making sure our roads are safe, modern and efficient.”

Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure –

“Through B.C. on the Move, our 10-year transportation plan, the Province continues to advance safety and capacity improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway between Kamloops and the Alberta Border. This work will mark the completion of our commitment to expand Highway 1 to four lanes between Pritchard and Hoffman’s Bluff and is a significant part of our goal to increase investment on this corridor to over $1 billion with partners over the next 10 years with planning and design of additional works underway.”

Chief Judy Wilson, Neskonlith Indian Band –

“These projects run directly through the Secwepemc territory from Monte Creek to Alberta and being at the table is recognition, which is important to our people along with having a say in these decisions impacting our land, especially with so many culturally sensitive areas along the corridor.”

Learn More:

To learn more about the Building Canada Fund–Major Infrastructure Component, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/bcf-fcc-eng.html

Learn more about B.C. on the Move at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/

Learn more about B.C.’s Highway 1 Kamloops to Alberta Four-Laning Program at: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/bchwy1/

View a photo of the Hoffman’s Bluff section of the Trans-Canada Highway here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tranbc/15674571893/

View the construction cam at: http://wcs.pbaeng.com/projects/R2-Hwy1-Kamloops