Office of the Premier
Construction is complete on four new bridges in the Peace region, built in response to severe flooding in 2016.
“The 2016 floods caused a lot of hardship for people in the Peace, and we’re taking action to ensure roads can withstand future flooding,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “These bridges are part of our flood recovery program and will increase safety and reliability for people travelling on Highway 97.”
The new bridges, all located near Chetwynd, are designed to ensure people can continue to travel safely and efficiently along Highway 97 during heavy rains or flooding. The ministry has invested over $80 million on the extensive response and recovery work completed since June 2016, when flooding caused significant damage throughout the Peace region.
"Highway 97 is a vital link to Chetwynd and beyond for industrial, commercial, emergency, recreational and residential users,” said Allen Courtoreille, mayor, District of Chetwynd. “For this reason, the District of Chetwynd is very grateful that the Province of B.C. and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure have heavily invested in infrastructure that can cope with heavy rainfall and snow melt events, to keep this important corridor open."
Flood recovery projects may be eligible for funding support through Public Safety Canada’s Disaster Funding Assistance Arrangement.
Learn More:
12 Practical Steps to Repairing Flood Damage in the South Peace (TranBC Blog): https://www.tranbc.ca/2019/07/24/12-practical-steps-to-repairing-flood-damage-in-the-south-peace/
Disaster Funding Assistance Arrangement: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/mrgnc-mngmnt/rcvr-dsstrs/dsstr-fnncl-ssstnc-rrngmnts/index-en.aspx
Active highway and infrastructure projects in northern B.C.: https://news.gov.bc.ca/17700
Travel information, available 24/7: www.drivebc.ca
A backgrounder follows.
