LANGLEY, B.C. — B.C.’s Transportation Minister, Judith Reid, has admitted a letter from theBCTA was instrumental in getting the province to rethink privatizing the Coquihalla Hwy.

In a recent letter to the association, Reid said: "This decision comes after tremendous input from individuals, businesses, community organizations, local governments and others. Your letter was an important part of that input, and I want you to know I appreciated hearing from you."

The BCTA had outlined a number of concerns about privatization of the Coquihalla in a letter to Reid, before the Liberals bowed to public pressure and cancelled the plan.

Reid goes on to say that the decision not to privatize the Coquihalla does not alter the B.C. Liberals’ commitment to improve the province’s highway infrastructure and she hints of new projects to be announced "in due course."

In wrapping up, Reid told the BCTA that "Today, however, I simply wanted to write to you and thank you for making your views known with respect to the future of the Coquihalla Highway."