The Government of B.C. has begun work on two projects totalling $700,000 to improve safety and access for motorists along Highway 97 through Prince George.

“Safety on B.C.’s highways and side roads is our number one priority,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “We’re investing in transportation infrastructure improvements like this work on Highway 97 in Prince George, to improve safety and traffic flow on provincial highways through communities.”

Work is underway on a $400,000 project to improve access to and from Massey Drive at Highway 97. The acceleration lane onto the highway is being lengthened to improve merging, and the deceleration lane to the off-ramp is also being extended. Work is expected to be completed by the end of August.

Work will begin near the end of August on a project to improve safety at the Highway 97/5th Avenue intersection. A deceleration lane, approximately 50 metres in length, will be added to Highway 97 to improve right turns onto 5th Avenue and reduce congestion at the intersection. The project is valued at $300,000.

“These projects will be welcome news to residents and businesses of Prince George,” said Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris. “They will make local commuters’ use of Highway 97 a safer, quicker option while moving B.C.’s economy.”

“Improvement projects like this are critical if we want safer roads and highways for our residents and visitors,” said Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “By providing motorists safer opportunities to enter and exit busy roadways we are reducing some of the risk involved with merging and turning. This is a significant investment that will make a difference along a busy corridor."

These projects are part of B.C. on the Move, the B.C. government’s 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will invest almost $2.7 billion over the next three years to improve British Columbia’s transportation network.

Learn More:

B.C. on the Move is available online at: www.gov.bc.ca/bconthemove