Safety improvements are coming to a section of Highway 97 just east of Quesnel.

The project will involve widening 1.1 kilometres of Highway 97 and improvements to two key intersections along the eastern approach to the city.

Traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Highway 97 and Racing Road/Dragon Hill Road, which has a historically high collision rate. The addition of signals will improve safety for all road users and provide better access to the local road network and adjacent businesses.

At Highway 97 and Quesnel Hydraulic Road, improvements will make it safer for drivers to turn off and onto the highway. The southbound left turn lane from Highway 97 onto Quesnel Hydraulic Road will allow more space for vehicles to slow down without impeding highway traffic. Left turns onto the highway southbound will be restricted.

A centre median will be installed along Highway 97 between the two intersections to separate opposing lanes of traffic and to better define the lanes when visibility and weather conditions are poor. New LED streetlights will be installed, as well as new drainage to remove surface water efficiently.

Utility relocations have already begun, and tendering will open in the coming weeks. With a successful tender, construction is anticipated to start in August 2021 and finish in fall 2022.

The ministry has investigated and confirmed the nearby Red Bluff slide will not impact this project.

The Government of British Columbia is contributing $11.3 million to this $19-million project, while the Government of Canada is contributing up to $7.7 million through the New Building Canada Fund – Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects.

Learn More:

Information on Highway 97 Quesnel intersection improvements is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/highway97racingroad

More information on federal infrastructure funding: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca