People who drive or cycle along the Sea to Sky Highway will experience a safer, more efficient ride, thanks to a number of important safety upgrades made in 2017.

“We are focused on continually improving the Sea to Sky Highway, making it safer and more efficient for all motorists and creating safer cycling opportunities for people along this scenic route,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Claire Trevena. “Safety upgrades are important year round, but they are especially important when the winter weather hits.”

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has invested more than $1.1 million in improvements to the Sea to Sky Highway this year, boosting safety for motorists and cyclists.

To make this a safer stretch of highway through the community of Lions Bay, the ministry has installed 1.4 kilometres of concrete median barrier between Lions Bay Avenue and Brunswick Beach Road, replacing the landscaped median that was there previously.

This median barrier is serving to prevent head-on collisions and other crossover accidents. The centre barrier has reflectors, making it easier for drivers to see, especially at night or in poor weather conditions. New trees and shrubs will be planted, with landscaping work currently being completed.

Over the summer, the ministry completed one kilometre of shoulder widening at Britannia Hill in the Squamish area. The highway shoulders have been widened and paved to provide a safer, smoother route for cyclists and drivers. Closer to Squamish, the ministry has installed a flashing warning light at Mamquam Forest Service Road. This light warns traffic when a logging truck will be accessing the highway, making it safer for the trucks and travelling motorists.

In the Pemberton area at Nairn Falls Provincial Park, the ministry is starting the Nairn Falls hill shoulder stabilization project. The project involves the excavation and rebuilding of highway shoulders to improve safety for cyclists through this section.

The ministry is continuing to work with local communities on addressing vehicle incidents on Highway 99 and will explore opportunities to improve the incident management protocol. The goal is to work in collaboration with road safety partners to help speed up the highway re-opening following a collision. This will include consultation with Public Safety and Solicitor General, RoadSafetyBC, police, BC Ambulance, the BC Coroners Service and Emergency Management BC.

Quick Facts:

• The Sea to Sky Highway is a key corridor in British Columbia, connecting Metro Vancouver with the communities of Lions Bay, Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.
• An average of 19,000 vehicle trips are made each day through Lions Bay and Squamish on the Sea to Sky, and an average of 10,000 vehicle trips are made through Whistler each day.

Learn More:

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online: http://www.tranbc.ca