NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

2009TRAN0040-000692

April 4, 2009
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

Government of Canada

Westbank First Nation



NEW INTERCHANGE TO IMPROVE HIGHWAY SAFETY, CREATE JOBS




WESTBANK FIRST NATION – A highway interchange will be constructed on Highway 97 at Westside Road in the Westbank First Nation to improve safety and efficiency, create jobs and stimulate the economy, Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, Okanagan-Westside MLA Rick Thorpe, and Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie announced today.



“The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting infrastructure projects that will create jobs for Canadians and boost local economies,” said Minister Day. “This investment is an example of action that our Government is taking to contribute to British Columbia’s long-term economic growth while building strong and safe roads and bridges that are good for Canadians and communities alike.”



“This interchange is great news for the community,” said Thorpe. “This project will not only ensure the safe flow of traffic through the area, but will also support local jobs and economic growth in the region.”



The Westside Interchange project will replace the existing at-grade intersection of Westside Road and Highway 97 with a grade separated interchange, and an underpass at Spland Road. This will provide for safer and more efficient traffic flow on this important corridor. Construction is expected to begin in summer, 2009. The $41-million project will be managed by the Westbank First Nation and funded by the provincial and federal governments.



“This will be our second partnership with governments to deliver a major improvement on Highway 97 and Westbank First Nation will once again have a prominent role in the project from the planning phase through to completion,” said Louie. “Our objective is to ensure that this project not only improves traffic efficiency in the region, but that it also supports Westbank First Nation’s goals for better access to reserve lands and that it creates development and economic opportunities for our community.”



Both the province and the Government of Canada have identified this project as a priority for infrastructure funding consideration. The federal government is setting aside up to $11 million, which will amount to a maximum of 50 per cent of eligible costs, for this project. Federal funding is conditional on the project meeting all federal eligibility requirements of the Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement with the Province of B.C. The B.C. government is contributing the remaining funding for this project.



The Government of Canada is accelerating and expanding recent historic federal investments in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years.



This project is part of an overall $14 billion capital infrastructure program supported by the province to create jobs and vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.


(from: http://www.gov.bc.ca/tran/)

Good news for that region! Its about time.

Heh thanks for the heading fix. It's actually the first time I've ever created a threat oddly enough :lol:

Heh thanks for the heading fix. It's actually the first time I've ever created a threat oddly enough :lol:

LMAO create more threads =) Honestly, a project like this isn't really enough to warrant itself its own separate thread but we don't have a "general road improvements thread" here (I'll start that next time), might as well just make it an actual project thread...

Or... how about we make your first post the first General BC Road Improvements thread... what do you guys think?

Edit: Too bad it is now =P

A post by Stingray on SSP

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mininari
Now we're stuck with an almost-freeway Highway 91.
Strangely enough, another interchange was just announced along Hwy 91, albeit hell if I know where it will be located and I drive it all the time.

Edited to add: Just found it on Google maps. It's at the S-curve on the Richmond side where the Westminster Hwy meets up with Hwy 91. And 72nd still sits in limbo.

Quote:
A new $26.9-million interchange will be built at Nelson Road and Highway 91, to provide direct access from Highway 91 to the Fraser Port Industrial Area by extending Nelson Road north from the Westminster Highway. The new interchange will provide an alternate route for traffic using Westminster Highway as an east-west connection from Richmond, Highway 99, and Knight Street.
Source: BC MoT

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_rele...059-000750.htm

Heck, they've (BC and the feds) announced 4 separate interchanges (Westside, MaCallum, McTavish and this one) and $hundreds$ of millions in new highway twinning across BC since April 1 akin to drunken sailors. I've never seen anything like it.

http://www.news.gov.bc.ca/?organisat...00921e80000575

CANADA-BC INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIP TO CREATE JOBS
AND SUPPORT THE ECONOMY



WEST VANCOUVER – Urban and rural communities across British Columbia will benefit from a $290-million investment in key infrastructure projects, thanks to a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C., announced Premier Gordon Campbell and Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

The infrastructure projects include provincial highway rehabilitation, public transit service improvements in the Greater Vancouver Regional District, projects in B.C.'s larger cities, as well as forest service roads. The Government of Canada is setting aside up to $116.6 million from the new Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The B.C. Government is contributing $134.7 million. Other funding partners are contributing the remaining $38.8 million.

“Every job counts, and this investment partnership will help create more than 1,800 direct jobs, as well as further stimulate the economy through improved movement and traffic flow,” said Premier Campbell. “We are pleased to continue to deliver critical infrastructure projects across BC by working in close partnership with the Federal Government and our other funding partners.”

“The Government of Canada’s number one priority is to stimulate our economy and create jobs for Canadians. Our Government’s investment will improve the capacity of B.C.’s highways and roads, inject additional capital into our economy, and keep people working during these tough economic times,” said Minister Day. “Working together, we can build the infrastructure that will allow Canadians and the economy to thrive now and in the future.”

The largest project under this investment will benefit North Shore area transit users and motorists with enhancements to Marine Drive and the Capilano River “blue bridge.” The $40 million Marine Drive Transit Priority Project will result in reduced travel time and improved schedule reliability for the 95 North Shore buses (12 routes) that use Marine Drive and the Lions Gate Bridge during peak traffic periods.

This investment is part of an overall $14 billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.


Canada’s Economic Action Plan established a new $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to provide funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure projects. Funding will be available for two years for projects that will begin during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons. This initiative is structured to move funds and get shovels in the ground quickly. Today’s announcement builds on the announcement on March 13, 2009 of $48 million in joint funding for 161 community infrastructure projects under the Towns For Tomorrow and the LocalMotion programs, with Canada’s contribution from the new Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.

Source: Government of British Columbia

CANADA-BC PARTNERSHIP TO UPGRADE IRON WORKERS BRIDGE


NORTH VANCOUVER – Residents of the North Shore will benefit from $1-million in joint federal and provincial funding to rehabilitate the structure of the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge, announced today by Andrew Saxton, MP for North Vancouver and Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Katherine Whittred.

The Iron Workers Memorial Bridge (2nd Narrows) was built in the early 1960s and requires on-going rehabilitation measures to extend its useful service life. The project involves the rehabilitation of structural steel components of the bridge superstructure to combat the impacts of corrosion. Construction is slated to begin in April and finish in September.

“This is another example of our government taking action to upgrade transportation infrastructure on the North Shore. This project will create jobs and improve our community," said Saxton.

“Our government is continuing to aggressively invest in infrastructure projects that provide much needed stimulus to create jobs for families. The Iron Workers Memorial Bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure to my community and I am pleased that we are able to partner with the federal government for this rehabilitation project,” said Whittred. “With the current global economic downturn projects like this one are exactly what is needed to keep B.C. working, keep B.C. growing and to keep B.C. strong.”

This project is part of the $290-million infrastructure investment, recently announced by the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C.

The provincial portion of the funding comes from an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

The federal portion of the funding comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to provide funding to provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects. Funding will be available for two years for projects that will begin during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons. This initiative is structured to flow funding and get shovels in the ground quickly.

Source: MoT

CANADA-BC PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND HIGHWAY 97


100 MILE HOUSE – Residents of 100 Mile House will benefit from $3 million in joint federal and provincial funding to four-lane a one-km section of Highway 97 near Stormy Road North, announced today by Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon.

The four-laning will improve safety conditions for motorists. Construction is slated to begin in summer 2009 and finish in summer 2010.

“We want to create a smoother and safer flow of traffic along Highway 97, and that’s why we’re investing in this four-laning project,” said Falcon. “This project is expected to create 20 jobs, at a time when the need for economic stimulus is greatest.”

This project is part of the $290-million infrastructure investment, recently announced by the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C.

The provincial portion of the funding comes from an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

The federal portion of the funding comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to provide funding to provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects. Funding will be available for two years for projects that will begin during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons. This initiative is structured to flow funding and get shovels in the ground quickly.

Source: MoT

CANADA-BC PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND HIGHWAY 97


QUESNEL – Residents of Quesnel will benefit from $10 million in joint federal and provincial funding to four-lane Highway 97 from Cody Road to Australian, announced today by Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon and MP for Cariboo-Prince George Dick Harris.

The project will improve traffic flow and safety by providing safe passing opportunities over a 2.5-km section of four lanes. Construction is slated to begin in spring 2010 and finish in fall 2010.

“We want to create a smoother and safer flow of traffic along Highway 97, and that’s why we’re investing in this four-laning project,” said Falcon. “This project will improve travel and safety conditions and is expected to create more than 60 jobs, at a time when the need for economic stimulus is greatest.”

“This Cody Road to Australian highway project is yet another example of how the priorities of simulating the economy and creating jobs can be accomplished due to the great relationship between the federal government and the provincial government,” said Harris. “This project will ensure smooth, safe, and efficient travel along Highway 97 in the Cariboo.”

This project is part of the $290-million infrastructure investment, recently announced by the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C.

The provincial portion of the funding comes from an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

The federal portion of the funding comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to provide funding to provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects. Funding will be available for two years for projects that will begin during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons. This initiative is structured to flow funding and get shovels in the ground quickly.

Source: MoT

ANADA-BC PARTNERSHIP TO BUILD NEW BRIDGE


PRINCE GEORGE – Residents of Prince George will benefit from $28 million in joint federal and provincial funding to replace Stone Creek Bridge on Highway 97 with a new, four-lane bridge, announced today by Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George Dick Harris,
Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond, and Prince George North MLA Pat Bell.

The Stone Creek Bridge was built in 1957, and is approaching the end of its serviceable life. The current, two-lane structure will be replaced with a new, four-lane structure. Crews will also be four-laning 1.5 km of Highway 97 south of the bridge to tie in with the existing four-lane section constructed in 2005/ 2006. Construction is slated to begin in November 2009 and finish in March 2011.

“This is our Economic Action Plan in action for Prince George,” said Harris. “This joint investment is a prime example of the federal government and the provincial government working together, getting the job done and putting the shovels in hands to create jobs.”

“The investments our governments are making in local highways and bridges are critical to ensuring the movement of goods and people across the region,” said Bond. “This is fantastic news for residents and travellers alike. Our government recognizes the need to invest in rural and Northern highway infrastructure and ensure that we continue to support the ongoing development of the North as a transportation hub.”

“We want to create a smoother and safer flow of traffic along Highway 97, and that’s why we’re investing in this new bridge,” said Bell. “This project will improve travel and safety conditions for motorists, and is expected to create approximately 180 jobs, at a time when the need for economic stimulus is greatest.”

This project is part of the $290-million infrastructure investment, recently announced by the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C.

The provincial portion of the funding comes from an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.


The federal portion of the funding comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to provide funding to provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects. Funding will be available for two years for projects that will begin during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons. This initiative is structured to flow funding and get shovels in the ground quickly.

Source: MoT

HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS BENEFIT NORTH THOMPSON REGION


BARRIERE – Residents of the Kamloops-North Thompson region will benefit from joint federal and provincial funding to improve a local highway, announced Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod and Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger today.

This project will improve travel and safety conditions, increase transportation efficiency and is expected to create more than 30 direct jobs, at a time when the need for economic stimulus is greatest.

“Not only is this improvement important for safety for our travelling residents and public but this highway project is an important part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan providing employment during these challenging times,” said McLeod.

“Together the provincial and federal governments are providing $6 million to improve our local highways, upgrade our roads and create jobs,” said Krueger. “As B.C. continues to develop, we place increasing demands on our highways. This funding helps us respond to the current upgrading needs in our community, while preparing for future growth.”

The project includes adding a two-kilometre passing lane and making intersection improvements on Highway 5 at Walterdale Road, approximately 40 kilometres north of Kamloops near Barriere.

The Government of British Columbia has identified these projects for funding consideration. Federal funding is conditional on the projects’ meeting all federal eligibility requirements.

These projects are part of an overall, three-year $14-billion capital infrastructure program (www.gov.bc.ca/infrastructure) supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

Beyond today’s announcement, the Government of Canada is taking important steps to support economic growth. Canada’s Economic Action Plan, announced in Budget 2009, is a balanced stimulus plan that includes massive investments in infrastructure, tax relief and transfers. This plan will provide close to $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years, which will address needs in communities across Canada, as well as contributing to long-term economic growth through investments in public infrastructure, such as roads, water treatment, green energy and transit. This money is already at work in B.C. through federal support to the provincial Towns for Tomorrow and LocalMotion programs.


For more information, please visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca.

Source: MoT