VSA Highway Maintenance Ltd. of Merritt has won this year’s Deputy Minister’s Contractor of the Year Award for highway maintenance, for its work in the Nicola Service Area.

“Safety on our roads and highways is a top priority for this government, and the award highlights the innovative, proactive, and service-oriented approach of VSA in the Nicola Service Area,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “Congratulations as well to the other finalists this year for their great work in dealing with adverse weather conditions, traffic and challenging elevations to keep our provincial transportation network safe and reliable.”

VSA Highway Maintenance won the award based on their continued focus on building relationships within the local communities including excellent communication with the public and key stakeholders.

As well, VSA’s innovation in their beet juice production plant and liquid application program is leading the way for road maintenance in British Columbia.  VSA used these new blends, increased the quantities applied, and purchased additional new equipment in their proactive approach to anti-icing last winter to deal with the challenges of repeated freeze/thaw cycles, freezing rain and black ice issues.          

VSA also leads a unique multi-agency response to winter events on the Snowshed Hill section of the Coquihalla, where communication and leadership is critical to storm management.  As a result, this location saw minimal highway closures, expedited highway openings, and efficient queue management in comparison to previous years.

“VSA Highway Maintenance crews work hard every day of the year to ensure our roads, highways and bridges are as safe as possible for all travellers,” said Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart.

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 Emcon Services Inc. for the Kootenay-Boundary Service Area and Mainroad Howe Sound Contracting for the Howe Sound Service Area.

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: http://tranbc.ca/