Today, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and B.C. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone announced that work is beginning to improve the Malahat section of the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) between Shawnigan Lake Road and Aspen Road.

“As a large country that relies on trade for its economic success, Canada needs to ensure that people and products can move quickly and safely — whether from home to work, or from harvest to warehouse,” Sohi said. “Investing in projects, such as the Malahat safety improvements, help provide Canadians with new opportunities and improved access to world markets.”

Through this latest project, five kilometres of Highway 1 will be four-laned with wider shoulders. Upgrades will also include the installation of new median barrier plus the construction of frontage roads and a new turnaround, and improved overhead lighting at intersections to help ensure safer access on and off the highway.

“Safety improvements through the Malahat Village section of Highway 1 were a priority under BC on the Move, so I’m pleased to see construction starting on this important project,” Stone said. “The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure throughout the province that are creating well-paying, family-supporting jobs. The Malahat Village project alone is expected to create more than 100 direct jobs over the life of the project.”

Construction is expected to be completed in 2018. Every effort will be made to minimize traffic delays related to construction, particularly during peak commuter periods. Travellers may encounter brief stoppages for blasting, tree falling, and equipment crossings, and are encouraged to check www.DriveBC.ca or the ministry’s social media channels for travel updates.

The project will improve safety, access and traffic flow for local residents, tourists and commercial drivers. When this upgrade through the Malahat Village is finished, there will be an 11-kilometre-long section between Finlayson Arm Road and the Malahat Summit with safer intersections and median barrier to protect against crossover collisions. In total, over 65% of the Malahat corridor will then be median divided.

Quick Facts:

• The total estimated cost of the project is $34 million, with the Province contributing $20 million and the Government of Canada funding up to $14 million.
• The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• Budget 2017 proposed over $10 billion over 11 years in trade and transportation projects across Canada.

Learn More:

Government of Canada’s $180-billion-plus infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375

Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/bc-eng.html

New Building Canada Fund – Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptic-vipt-eng.html

Project information available here: www.gov.bc.ca/malahatsafetyimprovements

Follow the work of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online at: http://www.tranbc.ca