Safety improvements are well underway for the intersection of Vance/Cowart roads and Highway 16 in Prince George, as well as the intersection of Ferry Avenue and Highway 16. Both intersections are west of Highway 97.

“Crews are working hard to install separate, protected left-turn signals at these intersections in Prince George, providing a fully-controlled left-turn movement for vehicles,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “In April, we committed to having this work done by the fall, and we’re on track to meet this completion date for both locations.”

Design work is complete for the Vance/Cowart and Ferry Avenue intersections. Next steps include the installation of the remaining components, with a scheduled completion of the work at Vance/Cowart by mid- August. Work will follow on Ferry Avenue with a scheduled completion in September.

“In April, we committed to improving the safety of the Vance/Cowart intersection in Prince George starting with the installation of dedicated left turn signals,” said Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “Today, commuters will see that this work has begun with the installation of concrete bases and preliminary field work. The assembly of the signal heads and poles is underway with expected installation in the next two weeks. In addition, work is underway in discussion with the city to look at a longer term strategy for managing increasing traffic volumes and capacity along this critical corridor.”

“Having a dedicated, left-turn signal at these intersections will allow drivers to make these turns more safely,” said Prince-George Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris. “This is a corridor that experiences a high volume of traffic and those numbers continue to rise. These safety improvements are necessary to keep pace with the needs of the community. It’s good to see that this work is well underway with completion scheduled for this fall.”

“On behalf of council and the citizens of Prince George, I would like to thank the provincial government for taking action to make these key intersections safer for residents and travellers through our busy city,” said Lyn Hall, mayor of Prince George. “Along with the city’s current work to improve the nearby Ferry and Ospika intersection, these enhancements will help to ensure motorists and cyclists can all get to their destinations safely and conveniently.”

Longer term improvements are also underway. A planning study and review of the Highway 16 corridor and the municipal road network in the region will be undertaken to identify future improvements. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the City of Prince George are working closely to gather information on current traffic volumes, traffic movements, as well as other details which will help map out further improvements along this corridor.

The improvements for the works at the intersections of Vance/Cowart and Ferry Avenue are estimated to cost $500,000.