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Minister of transportation stops for a visit in Burns Lake

Todd Stone announced investments in highway infrastructure.
Minister of transportation stops for a visit in Burns Lake
Mayor Luke Strimbold

Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, was in Burns Lake last week to talk about B.C. on the move, a 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network.

The plan sets out a series of transportation priorities, reinforced by a $2.5-billion commitment from the provincial government over its first three years.

The government is investing in passing lanes on Hwy. 16 to improve safety and mobility for motorists. Through its transit minor betterments program, the province will invest up to $1 million a year on infrastructure to help make transit travel safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable.

Construction has already begun on the Telachick Road westbound passing lane and Degal Pit Road eastbound passing lane between Vanderhoof and Prince George. Additionally, design work is well underway on the Tyhee passing lane (eastbound) near Telkwa.

The province will be installing new lighting in the Topley rest area to improve safety for rest area users. Crews are building accessible paths, garbage receptacles (garbage gobbler) and installing new concrete barriers. Work will be completed later this summer.

The ministry will be extending the existing four-laning of Hwy. 16 west of Prince George. Design work is underway to double the capacity of the highway starting at the Bunce Road intersection for approximately 3.4 km.

Minister Stone told Burns Lake residents that the province has already added 10 passing lanes on Hwy. 16 since 2001, and they will be adding seven more in the next three years.

In addition to four-laning, the project will also upgrade the intersections at Bunce and Blackwater roads. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2017.

The province is also committed to resurfacing 1000 kilometres of provincial highway annually, increasing its investment in bridge rehabilitation funding by 50 per cent over previous years.

The 61-year-old Salmon River Bridge, on Hwy. 97 north of Prince George, will be replaced with a new structure that can handle oversize transport trucks.

In addition, the province is committed to delivering up to 30 projects each year that will improve over 500 kilometres of side roads annually.

Government will also be investing in cycling infrastructure. Priorities for action include allocating a budget of $18 million over the next three years to partner with communities to build new bike lanes and trails across B.C. The province will also widen shoulders, double the frequency of sweeping and implement safety improvements on provincial highways in areas with a high volume of cyclists.

In addition, the provincial and the federal governments will each allocate approximately $109 million to support infrastructure projects in communities with a population of less than 100,000 people. This 10-year funding program runs from 2014 to 2024.

The B.C. on the move also includes investments in airport infrastructure. Government will invest $24 million over the next three years in a new B.C. air access program, so that community airports such as the Baker Airport in Burns Lake can access funding to improve infrastructure like runways, terminals and lighting.

The government will invest $75 million over the next three years in a new road safety improvement program. The program will include snow avalanche infrastructure, annual funding for livestock fencing and installation of wildlife-detection systems.

Other highlights of B.C. on the move include partnering with First Nations on projects that support economic activity; improving accessibility for persons with limited mobility by upgrading rest areas; and delivering a provincial trucking strategy that will increase the economic efficiency and safety of the commercial trucking industry.

Mayor Luke Strimbold said it was great to have minister Stone in Burns Lake.

“Minister Stone referenced a number of opportunities for infrastructure upgrades in our region such as passing lanes, our regional airport, and opportunities to partner on projects such as intersection improvements and alternative transportation methods such as biking and walking,” he said. “Our council will follow up with the minister in September at our annual union of British Columbia convention in Vancouver.”

The B.C. on the move included input from an extensive engagement process in fall 2014 that included meetings with key stakeholders throughout B.C., including First Nations, local governments, chambers of commerce and port and airport authorities. Government also conducted a public survey with almost 13,000 responses.