Crews will start work in the coming weeks resurfacing provincial roadways in and around the Prince George area, making the drive safer and smoother for people who travel these routes.

This project is one of several in northern B.C., covering hundreds of kilometres of highways and side roads in 2020.

“Our government is investing more than $350 million in transportation projects in northern B.C.,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Our investments in the North are investments in our communities. And they help create good jobs for people, which is especially important now as we move into the recovery phase of COVID-19.”

For the Prince George projects, over eight kilometres of Highway 16 will be resurfaced between 20th Avenue and the Old Cariboo Highway, as well as nearly 20 kilometres of Highway 97 between the Salmon River Bridge and O’Dell Road and 15 kilometres of Upper Fraser Road. In partnership with the City of Prince George, the ministry will also resurface 130 metres of 11th Avenue between Vancouver and Victoria streets.

“Investment in our infrastructure is critical to the economy,” said Kelly Scott, president, BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association. “During these uncertain times, government investment in our infrastructure network improves road safety for all British Columbians and helps ensure the continued movement of goods. These projects also support good-paying local jobs in communities throughout B.C. and provide the training opportunities the industry needs.”

These projects represent a combined investment of nearly $9 million: $8.9 million though the Government of B.C. and $32,000 through the City of Prince George.

“Prince George City Council wishes to thank the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for its continued commitment and investment in the safety and improvement of the highways in and around our city, in addition to providing residents and visitors with an enhanced and safer transportation system,” said Lyn Hall, mayor of Prince George. “Provincial capital projects such as this and the upgrades along Highway 16 West are providing the city with fantastic opportunities to improve both above-and-below-ground infrastructure along the highways and achieve economies of scale that would not otherwise be available.”

In addition to the resurfacing in and around Prince George, other major resurfacing projects underway in northern B.C. this summer include:

• Highways 2, 49 and 97 (Dawson Creek area): resurfacing 2.1 kilometres of Highway 2 from the east side of the roundabout and the junction of Highway 97, 15.4 kilometres of Highway 49 from the roundabout to the B.C.-Alberta border, and 2.8 kilometres of Highway 97 from the junction of Highway 2 to the CN Rail crossing. This project also includes resurfacing of numerous side roads in the Dawson Creek area (budget: $8.8 million).
• Highways 39 and 97 (south of Mackenzie): resurfacing 29 kilometres of Highway 97 from Whiskers Point to Parsnip River Bridge and 25 kilometres of Highway 39 from the junction of Highway 97 to Mill Road (budget: $3.0 million).
• Highway 5 (south of Blue River): resurfacing 18.7 kilometres of Highway 5 from Regional Boundary through Avola (budget: $2.7 million).
• Highway 16 (Smithers and Telkwa areas): resurfacing 26.6 kilometres of Highway 16 from Nouch Road to Fort Telkwa, excluding the Smithers arterial (budget: $3.4 million).
• Highway 16 (east of Smithers): resurfacing 68 kilometres on Highway 16 from Wakefield Road to 6 Mile Hill, excluding the Houston arterial. This project includes resurfacing of side roads in and around the Smithers area (budget: $4.1 million).

The ministry is working closely with contractors and WorkSafeBC to ensure health and safety are maintained for all workers on site.

The B.C. provincial health officer has directed construction employers to take all necessary precautions to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission and illness to themselves and their employees. Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, such as sore throat, fever, sneezing or coughing, will be directed to self-isolate at home for at least 10 days.

Learn More:

For active highway and infrastructure projects in northern B.C., visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/17700

For travel restrictions and precautions due to COVID-19, visit: http://ow.ly/jBGu50yVMRO

For guidance to construction sites operating during COVID-19, visit: http://ow.ly/P7WS50z8hNT

For the most up-to-date highway travel information, visit @DriveBC on Twitter or: www.DriveBC.ca