Paving the Tuck Inlet Road, which provides access to the community of Lax Kw'alaams near Prince Rupert, began today, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone announced.

"Paving Tuck Inlet Road will ensure safe and reliable access to the residents of Lax Kw'alaams and visitors to their community," said Stone. "I know that the entire Lax Kw'alaams community has been looking forward to this project starting for the last year, and I’m pleased that paving will get underway today."

The Lax Kw'alaams community is accessed via ferry from Prince Rupert, which docks at Tuck Inlet. The current gravel road connecting the ferry dock with the village was last upgraded in 2006. Prince Rupert-based Adventure Paving won the contract to pave the existing gravel surface, replace one bridge and make safety improvements – such as concrete barriers, speed reader boards and pullouts – along the 17.5-kilometre road.

When complete, the resurfaced road will increase safety and accessibility for residents, businesses and tourists on this crucial link to the community of Lax Kw'alaams. Work on the road (paving, shouldering, etc.) is expected to finish on Sept. 30, 2016, and the project completion date (including realignment and bridge work) is expected to be finished at the end of October, 2016.

The project is valued at $20 million.

This project is part of B.C. on the Move, the ministry's 10-year transportation plan, to work with First Nations on projects that support economic development on their lands.