Safety and mobility along Highway 97 between Williams Lake and Quesnel will be improved as part of the $200-million third phase of the Cariboo Connector Strategy, Cariboo-North MLA Coralee Oakes announced today on behalf of Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

“This project will see a portion of the funding used to widen a key section of Highway 97 to four lanes near ?Esdilagh Reserve, south of Fort Alexandria, as well as intersection and safety improvements,” said Oakes. “We have heard from motorists, and particularly commercial truck drivers, who regularly travel the corridor that expansion is much needed. This investment will bring in necessary improvements to enhance safety for drivers, in addition to growing the economy and creating jobs in communities along Highway 97 throughout the Cariboo. We look forward to working collaboratively with the ?Esdilagh community.”

This project is among the first four projects to get underway with funding for this phase of the Cariboo Connector Strategy. The ministry has committed $1-million to conduct engineering and development work for the first four projects of Phase 3, and engineering and design work will begin immediately.

The full suite of projects within Phase 3 of the Cariboo Connector Strategy is still in development. It is estimated that over 600 jobs will be created over the duration of this Phase 3 work.  

This $200-million commitment to continue the upgrade of Highway 97 between Cache Creek and Prince George is a key component of B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan, and is one of the ways B.C. government is taking action to strengthen and grow rural communities.

The B.C. government is working with rural British Columbians to help them build, grow and diversify their communities so they can create jobs and remain competitive in today’s rapidly changing economy. In 2016-17 alone, the government invested $3.6 billion in economic development activities targeted at rural B.C. such as improving connectivity and transportation

infrastructure, and supporting Aboriginal people and young adults.

Learn more:

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

For more information on the B.C. Rural Economic Development Strategy: http://ow.ly/28tI309GhrV