VANCOUVER, B.C. — The province of B.C. and the feds are combining resources to upgrade Intelligent Transportation Systems such as weather information systems along the province’s highways.

Environmental sensor stations will be installed and upgraded throughout B.C. as part of the $500,000 project.

Thirty-six of 54 existing road weather information systems will be upgraded and one new station will be installed along the national highway system. The work should be completed by March 31, 2006 the government announced.

“This agreement demonstrates the commitment of the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to working together to improve the National Highway System in the province,” said Industry Minister, David Emerson. “The application of this new technology will help to make British Columbia’s roads safer and more efficient during winter weather conditions.”

“The Government of Canada is dedicated to providing Canadians with the best transportation system,” added federal Transport Minister, Jean-C Lapierre. “Funding reliable technologies that improve the safety and efficiency of our roads is one way we honour this commitment.”

Road weather information systems are automated weather reporting stations that use special sensors imbedded in the road to detect hazardous conditions. They allow weather forecasters to better determine road conditions and also help road crews make winter highway maintenance decisions.

The National Road Weather Information Systems initiative is a federal-provincial program that has been set up to provide this service throughout the country.

“Safety is always our top priority,” said B.C. Transport Minister Kevin Falcon. “By installing a new environmental sensor station in Abbotsford and upgrading 36 others across B.C., we can help ensure drivers and maintenance contractors have the most up-to-date information available to help them make the best decisions to keep our highways safe.”