B.C.’s major routes benefit from joint funding

GOLDEN — Major highway routes connecting B.C. communities will receive improvements, as a result of joint funding from the federal and provincial governments.

Along a much travelled north/south route, Hwy. 97 will benefit from construction work, with a long-term vision of twinning the highway. In the province’s east/west network, the portion of the Trans-Canada Highway stretching through the Kicking Horse Canyon was tagged as a priority project.

“Improving the Trans-Canada Highway through the Kicking Horse Canyon continues to be one of our top transportation priorities,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “Cost-sharing with the Government of Canada enables us to proceed with upgrades to strengthen, straighten, and widen this stretch of highway, improving safety for all motorists.”

Improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway through the Kicking Horse Canyon have been marked as priority for funding under Building Canada, the Government of Canada’s new long-term infrastructure plan. The federal government and the B.C. government signed a Framework Agreement worth more than $2.2 billion under Building Canada.

As part of the improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway through the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Government of Canada will fund up to one-half of eligible costs, to a maximum of $64.2 million. The total estimated cost of these improvements is $134.5 million.

The improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway through Kicking Horse Canyon funded under this announcement will include the construction of approximately 12 kilometres of twinned highway, delivered through two components. The first component, located on the east end, involves the upgrade of the highway from 10 Mile Hill, near the location of the commercial vehicle brake check, east to the boundary of Yoho National Park. The second component, located on the west end, involves upgrading the Trans-Canada Highway from the Highway 95 junction in Golden east towards the future ‘West Portal,’ the term for the proposed tunnel entrance.

The two governments will also contribute to the upgrading of 4.2 km of highway to four lanes at the Wright Station Curves, between 100 Mile House and Williams Lake on Highway 97, the major north/south artery in B.C. This project is consistent with British Columbia’s long-term vision of the four-lane Cariboo Connector between Cache Creek and Prince George.

“Improved surface transportation will encourage the long-term economic stability and diversification of economic activities in these communities,” said Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources.

The Cariboo Connector supports growth in truck traffic related to the harvesting of wood affected by the pine beetle, and the development of the Port of Prince Rupert.

The Government of Canada will contribute up to $4.2 million for the project. The funding is part of the estimated total project cost of $11.2 million.

“This project will improve the safety of one of the most collision-prone sections of the highway,” said B.C. Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon. “It’s part of our Cariboo Connector four-laning program to support economic growth and improve competitiveness by moving goods and people more safely and efficiently.”


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