The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has just activated four new webcams and installed six new bus shelters along Highway 16 to further boost public safety.

Installing new transit shelters and activating new webcams is a key commitment in the B.C. government’s $5-million Highway 16  Transportation Action Plan.

“Together with our federal partners, we are dedicated to making this northern corridor with many small local governments and First Nations communities safer for all who travel along it. In particular we are committed to improve personal safety for women and teenaged girls,” said John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and MLA for Nechako Lakes, on behalf of Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Providing new webcams and bus shelters along the highway is another important element of our $5-million action plan, which includes introducing new transit services and a community vehicle program in early 2017.”

“The safety and security of Indigenous women is a priority for the Government of Canada," said Carolyn Bennett, federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs.  "Investments in safety measures such as new webcams is an example of important collaboration with Indigenous people and provincial partners. Together we are now able to improve the safety and security for travellers along Highway 16 and improve the confidence, health and well-being of local Indigenous communities and their families.”

There are four new webcams with a total of 13 camera views:

• Highway 16 in Burns Lake at North Francois Highway – West, East, and South views
• Highway 16 in Telkwa at Hankin Road – North, West, East, and South views
• Highway 16 at Nautly Road in Fort George – Nechako - North, West, and East views
• Highway 16 at Highway 27 in Fort George – Nechako - North, West, and East views

These highway cameras complement the three new webcam views that were activated on Highway 16 at Main Street in Smithers over the summer.

The webcams help to increase the safety and visibility of pedestrians and motorists along Highway 16, as well as boost awareness. Images on the webcams are refreshed frequently and photo times vary.

In addition, all-weather bus shelters have been installed in several communities located along Highway 16 this year, to support existing transit services, new transit services and school bus services. Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Moricetown, Gitaus and Kitimat have received new bus shelters, which are designed for durability in all weather conditions, with protective shelter from rain and snow, a bench and good visibility from the street.

The B.C. government and the federal government through Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) are investing $1.5 million over two years for highway infrastructure safety improvements as a key part of the five-point Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan. $1 million of this funding is being provided by INAC.

The $5-million Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan has been developed to improve safety along this 800-kilometre stretch of highway, in particular to provide better and safer transportation options for women and teenage girls.

Learn More:

To check out the new highway cams, go to: http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwaycam/pub/html/www/index-Northern.html

For more information on the Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan, go to: www.gov.bc.ca/highway16actionplan