Governments of Canada and British Columbia investing in Highway 16 improvements

TERRACE, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 25, 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.

That is why the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia (B.C.) today announced $37,737,949 to improve Highway 16. The project includes the construction of five additional passing lanes along Highway 16 as well as an upgrade to the junction of Highway 16 and 37 in Terrace, where there is currently a four-way stop.

Once completed, the project will improve safety and traffic flow for all highway users, including local residents, tourists and commercial drivers by providing additional opportunities to safely pass slower moving vehicles. It will also support future economic development in the region by contributing to a more efficient transportation network in northern British Columbia.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is working in close partnership with British Columbia to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that create safer roads for travelers, help grow the middle class, and promote sustainable development. By supporting improvements to Highway 16, we are helping local businesses move their goods to market and fostering long-term prosperity in the region for years to come."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"One of the commitments we made in B.C. on the Move was to increase the number of passing lanes on Highways 16 and 37. We've already built 3 and this new investment means 5 more safe opportunities to pass slower vehicles. Another one of our provincial priorities is to provide better access into communities, and upgrading the junction of Highway 16 and 37 will ease congestion and improve traffic flow through Terrace."

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

Quick facts



-- The Government of Canada is contributing up to $16,107,426 to the
Highway 16 Expansion Project through the Provincial-Territorial
Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects.
-- The Government of British Columbia is contributing $21,630,523 for a
total estimated project cost of $37,737,949.
-- The five passing lanes will be built at:
-- Rainbow Hill, 30 kilometres east of Prince Rupert;
-- Toboggan Lake near Smithers;
-- Tyhee Lake, east of Telkwa between Houston and Smithers;
-- Broman Lake near Burns Lake; and
-- Cluculz Lake Hill, about 40km west 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): 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.

B.C. on the Move is available online at www.gov.bc.ca/bconthemove.

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
Brook.Simpson@canada.ca


Media Relations
British Columbia Government Communications
and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250-356-8241
www.gov.bc.ca/connect


Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
media@infc.gc.ca