Cantex-Okanagan Construction Ltd. of Penticton has won this year’s Deputy Minister’s Contractor of the Year Award in the category of grading for the Highway 97, 74 Mile to 76 Mile four-laning project located south of 100 Mile House.

“Improving highway capacity and reliability is a key priority in B.C. on the Move, our 10-year transportation plan and I would like to congratulate Cantex-Okanagan Construction Ltd. for their exceptional accomplishment on this project,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “Congratulations as well to all the finalists for their outstanding work on B.C.’s transportation network this year.”

This $7.8-million four-laning contract involved widening 4.5 kilometres of Highway 97 from 74 Mile to 76 Mile as part of the $200-million investment into Phase 2 of the Cariboo Connector Upgrade Project. Cantex-Okanagan Construction Ltd. completed the project ahead of schedule and on budget, and exceeded expectations with their effective quality-management plan, a traffic management plan that was well-co-ordinated ahead of time, and their emphasis on environmental management with a proactive approach to working in wetlands and local ponds.

“I want to add my congratulations for the high-quality work this company has done to improve the Cariboo Connector portion of Highway 97, which is the vital link between northern B.C. and the southern Interior,” said Penticton MLA Dan Ashton.

The Deputy Minister’s Contractor of the Year Awards recognize construction and maintenance companies demonstrating excellence in the categories of grading, paving, bridges and structures, safety innovation, and highway maintenance work throughout the province.

The 13th annual awards were hosted by the B.C. Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association on Friday, Dec. 4 in Victoria.

The other finalists in this category were Interoute Construction Ltd for the Highway 97 Chetwynd Base and Frost Treatment project and Dawson Construction Limited for the Highway 1 Malahat Safety Improvements.

Quick Facts:

• Through B.C. on the Move, the Province is investing approximately $1 billion over the next three years to improve highway capacity and reliability.

Learn more:

Information including videos and photographs of the Deputy Minister’s Contractor of the Year Award winners and finalists can be viewed at: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=21210EA42C0B44E89988247CED288762​ 

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