Highway 16 expansion in British Columbia improves safety and traffic flow

PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 28, 2016) - From visiting friends and relatives to getting goods to market, we rely on our roads, bridges and highways to support a vibrant economy and great quality of life. Investing in modern transportation infrastructure will help create jobs and grow the middle class now, while building the foundation for a strong economic future.

The governments of Canada and British Columbia today announced $24 million in funding to expand a 3.4 kilometre stretch of Highway 16 from two lanes to four. The highway expansion - from Bunce Road to east of Jensen Road - will improve safety by providing safe passing opportunities and increase efficiency through reduced congestion. Upgrades will also be made to the intersections at Bunce and Gauthier Road, Sykes and Blackwater Road, and Buckingham and Haldi Lake Road.

The Government of Canada is providing up to $10,126,180 to this project through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP). The Province of British Columbia (B.C.) is providing the remaining $13,983,162. The total estimated cost of the project is $24,109,342.

To further improve safety and address some ongoing concerns for local residents, the City of Prince George will be undertaking an estimated $594,000 of concurrent improvements to municipal roads near the highway. The improvements include adding sidewalks, improving lighting, installing traffic signals and making improvements to intersections along feeder roads near the highway.

Quotes

"Every day, middle class Canadians rely on safe and secure roads to get to their destinations and back home again, and to efficiently move goods throughout the country. The Government of Canada is proud to support the Highway 16 improvements on the south-west side of Prince George. The expansion will improve traffic flow and increase safety for residents and travellers.

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"When this four-laning is completed, it will increase the safety and capacity of Highway 16 for those travelling to and from B.C.'s northwest and for those who rely on this corridor for their commute. The project will not only extend the existing four-laning of Highway 16, it will also upgrade a number of intersections, significantly improving safety at those locations."

The Honourable Todd Stone, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

"On behalf of Council, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada for this vital investment in the safety of motorists and pedestrians along this busy corridor, which is a critical entrance into Prince George. We are also extremely pleased to be adding to this project by installing a long-awaited sidewalk and new street lighting near Vanway Elementary School. The City will also be constructing a water main to improve water pressure in the neighbourhood and additional street lighting, traffic signals, and intersection improvements. Council has long known of the concerns of residents about this stretch of highway and we are very pleased to be a part of this major announcement."

Lyn Hall, Mayor of Prince George

Associated links

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120 billion infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/index-eng.html.

Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/bc-eng.html.

Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP) Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html.

New Building Canada Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html.

Project map and information: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/tranprojectsbc/.

Follow the work of the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure at: http://tranbc.ca/.

Learn more about B.C. on the Move at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/.

Twitter: @INFC_eng