VICTORIA, B.C. — The B.C. government is set to invest a further $1.5 million over the next three years as part of an ongoing effort to improve the safety of Hwy. 101.

The funding will provide safety measures identified from a comprehensive safety review that it started in October 2005, in co-operation with the communities of Gibsons and Sechelt. These improvements are in addition to the $1.2-million project completed in fall 2006 that added a fourth lane on Hwy. 101 between Pratt and Mahan Roads in Gibsons to improve traffic flow and safety.

The safety of our highways is our top priority, said Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon. The communities along this highway are growing and with that growth comes more traffic. This work will help make Highway 101 safer for the surrounding communities and the travelling public.

The safety improvements will include: high-visibility all-weather pavement markings; enhanced signage to raise the alertness level of drivers to potential safety hazards, including approaching curves; pedestrian and cyclist safety features, including shoulder widening where pedestrian and cyclist use is required; pullouts for school and transit buses where appropriate; enhanced lighting where night-time visibility has been identified as a problem; and intersection improvements where accident histories suggest they are needed.

This is a good first step toward addressing our concerns about the highway, said Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk. Its laudable that the province has listened to our community and we look forward to continuing to work with the province to make Highway 101 safer for everyone.