VANCOUVER, B.C. — The number of cameras that transmit live views on the Internet of what is happening on provincial highways is more than doubling in B.C.

More than 40 new webcams are now online, in addition to the 16 that existed previously. The webcams are set up at key transportation locations around B.C. They send real-time images that can be viewed from the Drive BC road reports site at www.drivebc.ca or the Ministry of Transportation’s website at www.th.gov.bc.ca.

The web camera images range from rural highways, where weather and highway conditions may change quickly, to Lower Mainland highways, where motorists may check traffic volumes before leaving on their commute. The webcams are a joint initiative of the Ministry of Transportation and Transport Canada.

“Using technologies to increase the safety and security of Canadians on provincial highways just makes sense,” said Lawrence Cannon, federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communitites. “The Government of Canada encourages innovation and creativity like this to solve current transportation challenges while providing Canadians with quick, easy access to the information they need to travel.”

The Highway Webcams Web site includes several new features to help travellers and other users, including a “My HighwayCams” feature that allows you to build your own webpage of the cameras you view most often; clickable maps with camera locations and directions; and a new information page, to answer some of the most frequently asked webcam questions.

Since 2005, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation has launched several online traveller information resources, including DriveBC (www.drivebc.ca), the cross-province travel information website, and the joint federal and provincially funded advanced traveller information systems to monitor traffic flow on the Lions Gate Bridge and the Lower Mainland border crossings.

“We are committed to ensuring the safety of the travelling public,” said B.C. Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon. “From Lions Gate Bridge to Fort St. John, the expanded network of webcams will help travellers across the province check the latest conditions so they can plan their trip and arrive safely.”