Transportation and Transit
Crews are working on a variety of paving projects in British Columbia’s northern region, covering more than 350 kilometres of highways and side roads this year.
“Highway resurfacing improves the safety and efficiency of the roadway, provides safer driving conditions for the travelling public and improves the movement of goods and services,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “The expansion and renewal of infrastructure is central to our economic recovery from the pandemic, and it is essential that all British Columbians can count on safe and reliable roads.”
One of the first projects to get underway is asphalt resurfacing of over 26 kilometres of Highway 16 in the Terrace and Thornhill areas. Work on this $5.8-million project is set to begin June 2021 and is expected to be complete by late September 2021. Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers can expect single-lane alternating traffic during periods of active work with maximum 20-minute delays.
“As regional COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift, there will be a gradual increase in the movement of people and goods across B.C.,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and MLA for Stikine. “Maintaining road infrastructure keeps transportation corridors open, provides critical access for rural and remote communities, and helps families stay connected.”
Another project is Highway 97 west of Chetwynd from Mount Solitude to Stone Creek. Work is set to begin in early summer and is expected to be complete by mid-August 2021. Work will take place six days a week, 12 hours a day. Drivers can expect single-lane alternating traffic during this time. In total, 55 kilometres of highway will be resurfaced using hot-in-place resurfacing.
Hot-in-place resurfacing is a made-in-B.C. process that involves repurposing the existing asphalt by heating, softening and blending it with a small amount of new asphalt before re-applying it to the road surface. This method extends the life of the surface, is faster, saves resources and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
Other major resurfacing projects taking place in the region this spring and summer are outlined in the backgrounder that follows.
Almost $42 million is being invested in highway resurfacing, and nearly $11 million is being spent on side road improvements in the northern region in 2021.
While highways and roads remain open, travel restrictions for non-essential travel between regions remain in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 and variants of concern.
Drivers are reminded to observe construction zone speed limits and the direction of traffic control personnel. Updates on delays and closures are available: https://www.drivebc.ca/
Learn More:
For more on the various types of resurfacing carried out by the ministry, including overlay, hot-in-place, and mill and fill, visit:
https://www.tranbc.ca/2012/08/01/smooth-move-3-common-ways-to-resurface-b-c-highways/
For travel restrictions and precautions due to COVID-19, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/travel/current
A backgrounder follows.
