FORT NELSON, B.C. — British Columbia is planning to upgrade the Sierra Yoyo Desan Road to access the Horn River Basin at a cost of $187 million over a four-year period, according to Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Blair Lekstrom.

“This road provides industry and resource access to the Horn River Basin, which has attracted investment to the tune of $1.1 billion in the past year, a significant portion of the record $2.66 billion earned from oil and gas rights’ sales in 2008,” said Lekstrom.

The upgrades to the Sierra Yoyo Desan Road, located near Fort Nelson in Northeastern B.C., are required to deal with a significant increase in traffic volume resulting from the development of the Horn River and Cordova Embayment areas, states the Ministry. The result is predicted to be an upgraded and safer road that will support industry investment, and enable a shift in the nature of oil and gas activity in the region, from conventional to shale gas development.

“The upgrade and further development of this resource road is proof of our commitment to the B.C. Energy Plan by providing the infrastructure needed to develop the unconventional gas resources in our province,” added Lekstrom.