The Dease Lake Airport will soon receive $861,950 in provincial funding under the B.C. Air Access Program to improve emergency service access with work beginning mid-July, announced Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

“When we rolled out our B.C. on the Move 10-year transportation plan last year, we made it a priority to providing funding support for smaller and regional airports like Dease Lake Airport,” Stone said. “We know that Dease Lake Airport is a vital site for medevac services and these safety improvements are critical to ensure the continued use of the airport for medical emergencies, the local community, and visitors.”

This airport is an important access point for the eight mine sites in the area. With the support of B.C. Air Access funds, the Dease Lake Airport will be re-surfacing the runway and taxiway areas. This northern runway is subject to cold climate hazards and has resulted in debris damaging aircrafts using the airport. The runway’s current state of disrepair puts the facility in danger of closure due to safety concerns. Other private and public sector contributions will make up the remaining funds required to complete this $1.1 million improvement to the airport.

“The local community, including the Tahltan First Nation, will be very pleased that the necessary improvements will now be possible at Dease Lake Airport,” said Michael Furminger representing the Stikine Airport Society. “The resurfacing of the runway will dramatically improve the safety and efficiency of the airport as medevac services, local businesses, and the local community utterly depend on a proper runway surface.”

Through the B.C. Air Access Program, the ministry cost shares with public airports on projects such as lighting and navigational systems, terminal building expansion or upgrades, and runway improvements. These types of projects will allow airports to improve safety, accommodate larger aircraft and more frequent flights, and further support the continuing growth of local and provincial economies.

Last year, the Province announced $24 million over three years to invest into the B.C. Air Access Program. The program also encourages funding partnerships with the federal government, local and regional governments and agencies, and the private sector. Last year, the program provided just over $6 million towards improvements at ten regional airports throughout the province.

B.C. on the Move is government’s 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network. Over the next three years, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will invest almost $2.7 billion in transportation improvements.

Learn More:

For information on the B.C. Air Access program, go to: http://www.gov.bc.ca/BCAirAccessProgram

B.C. on the Move is available online at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/