VICTORIA — The province of British Columbia announced last week that $650 million will be spent over the next 10 years to four-lane the Trans-Canada between Kamloops and the Alberta border.

Additionally, the government said it will begin planning a replacement of the 54 year-old George Massey Tunnel.

Naturally, the BC Trucking Association (BCTA) welcomed the announcements.

“Our motor carrier members have identified four-laning Highway #1 between Kamloops and the BC-Alberta border as a high priority,” says Louise Yako, BCTA president and CEO.

“Completing the four-laning of this important national transportation corridor will not only benefit trade, it will improve the safety of all drivers travelling that route.”

Traffic volumes on major highways are forecasted to grow by over 30 percent, the government said. With container capacity at Port Metro Vancouver set to more than double by 2030, truck traffic between Delta, Surrey, and Richmond will contribute to this increase.

“The new Port Mann Bridge, Highway #1 expansion and South Fraser Perimeter Road will be a huge help,” Yako noted, “but clearly the Massey Tunnel is a massive choke point that needs to be addressed within a predictable timeframe.”

The improvements, BCTA said, will be a boon for all of Canada. They’d like to see the federal government join the province in ensuring the projects can be delivered in a timely fashion, BCTA said in a statement.

“Support from all levels of government is necessary to ensure our transportation system keeps pace with the projected growth in Asia-Pacific trade,” Yako said.