The provincial government will spend $200 million over the next five years to four-lane an additional 30 kilometres along Highway 97 between Prince George and Cache Creek, Premier Christy Clark said Friday.
The work will be spread across nine projects and generate 1,000 jobs during construction.
And by the time all the work is done, nearly 50 per cent of the so-called Cariboo Connector, stretching 440 kilometres, will be three or four lanes, Clark said during an event at Yellowhead Road and Bridge's Hart Highway office.
"Expanding our transportation network is key to sustained economic growth and protecting the jobs across our province," Clark said. "And this further investment in the Cariboo Connector will make sure our goods are getting to market faster while stimulating the local economy and providing local jobs."
Construction will start this year on two projects, from Old Cariboo Highway to Sintich Road, about 4.5 kilometres in length, and near 70 Mile House, about 375 kilometres south of Prince George.
The first phase, which was first announced seven years ago almost to the day, four-laned 40 kilometres at a cost of $240 million. All but one of the 18 projects for that phase is now completed and the last project, from 148 Mile to the turnoff to Likely, wraps up this year.
Asked about the chances of the entire 440 kilometres being four-laned, Clark hesitated slightly before saying it depends on whether the province's economy will continue to grow.
"And I think British Columbia's economy will continue to grow as long as we decide we want to have a thriving private-sector economy, and as long as we want to make sure we're committed to free enterprise...so I think the odds are pretty good," Clark said.
Asked about the lengthy timeline for the second phase, Clark said the idea is to do the work in stages to minimize the impact on the use of the highway but added many provincial paving projects have been finished ahead of schedule.
"And of course, we're going to be welcoming our partners in the federal government to be joining us in supporting this as well, and so that might have a material difference on the timeline," Clark said.
In a press release, federal Minister Responsible for B.C., James Moore, indicated Ottawa will continue to be a partner in the second phase as it had in the first. "We are pleased that the province is continuing to support the improvement of this important piece of infrastructure," Moore said.
Responding to a question about improvements to Highway 16, B.C. Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom said upgrades are in order to ensure the free flow of goods and services.
Last month, the provincial government announced 14 improvement projects worth a total $14.3 million for Highway 16 West between Vanderhoof and Houston and Highway 27, from Vanderhoof to Germanson Landing, led by resurfacing 40 kilometres from the Tintagel rest area, near Burns Lake, to Endako.
Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad said more work will be announced but discounted the possibility of four-laning.
"I'm trying to get additional passing lanes put in," Rustad said. "I think four-laning is unrealistic to be thinking about at this time given the cost but if I can keep adding enough passing lanes over time, that gives you a lot of three-lane alternating which gives great safety for vehicles moving through the area plus it also really enhances our ability to move goods."
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Fact box
Here are the nine projects on the list for phase two of the provincial government's effort to four lane more of Highway 97 from Prince George to Cache Creek. They add up to 30 kilometres and will cost $200 million over five years, according to the province.
- Old Cariboo Highway to Sintich Road: four-laning between Old Cariboo Highway and
Sintich Road including intersection improvements, south of Prince George.
- Stone Creek to Williams Road: four-laning between the Stone Creek Bridge and
Williams Road including replacement or realignment at the CN Rail Overhead, south
of Prince George.
- Quartz Road to Dragon Lake: four-laning between Quartz Road and Dragon Lake,
south of Quesnel.
- Carson to Fox Mountain Road: four-laning between Carson Drive and Fox Mountain
Road in Williams Lake including access management and intersection improvements.
- Williams Lake I.R. to Lexington: four-laning between the South Boundary of the
Williams Lake Indian Reserve and Lexington Road.
- Stormy Road: four-laning, tying together the previously-constructed Stormy Road
North and Bullock Lake Road projects, south of 100 Mile House.
- 76 Mile South: four-laning, tying together the Stormy and 70 Mile North sections,
south of 100 Mile House
- 70 Mile North: four-laning starting north of Willow Road, near the community of
70 Mile House.
- Bonaparte Intersection: intersection improvements at Bonaparte intersection,
north of Cache Creek.
- source: Ministry of Transportation
