Crews are working on a variety of paving projects across northern B.C. covering more than 350 kilometres of highways and side roads this year, including a few projects near Prince George.
One of the projects includes Highway 16 east of Prince George. There will be 11 kilometres of asphalt resurfacing on Highway 16 from Old Cariboo Highway to Giscome Road and 16 kilometres of intermittent asphalt resurfacing on Upper Fraser Road.
Work is set to begin in summer and will take place Monday to Saturday. Drivers can expect single-lane alternating traffic during periods of active work with maximum 20-minute delays. The project is expected to be complete by late September.
Another project will take place at Highways 16 and 97 east and south of Prince George. There will be 34.5 kilometres of hot-in-place resurfacing on Highway 16 from Tabor Mountain to Bowron River and 16.6 kilometres of hot-in-place resurfacing on Highway 97 from Regional Boundary to Stone Creek Bridge and Red Rock to Old Cariboo.
Work is set to begin in early summer and is estimated to be completed by late September.
Hot-in-place resurfacing is a made-in-B.C. process that involves repurposing the existing asphalt by heating, softening and blending it with a small amount of new asphalt before re-applying it to the road surface. This province says this method extends the life of the surface, is faster, saves resources and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
"Highway resurfacing improves the safety and efficiency of the roadway, provides safer driving conditions for the travelling public and improves the movement of goods and services," said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure in a press release.
"The expansion and renewal of infrastructure is central to our economic recovery from the pandemic, and it is essential that all British Columbians can count on safe and reliable roads."
Almost $42 million is being invested in highway resurfacing, and nearly $11 million is being spent on side road improvements in the northern region in 2021.
While highways and roads remain open, travel restrictions for non-essential travel between regions remain in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 and variants of concern.
The province is also reminding drivers to observe construction zone speed limits and the direction of traffic control personnel.
Real-time updates on delays and closures can be found through Drive BC and a full list of major resurfacing projects set for northern B.C. this summer can be found here.
