Highway project east of Kamloops increases safety on TransCanada track
By Nelson Daily Staff
A dangerous stretch of road east of Kamloops is going to get a major upgrade after the provincial and federal governments agreed to fund the project.
Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo and British Columbia’s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone made the announcement Tuesday.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making sure our roads are safe, modern and efficient,” said Parliamentary Secretary McLeod.
“By investing in these projects, we are helping to improve safety and ease traffic congestion for residents and travellers along these heavily-used stretches of Highway 1.”
“With shovels in the ground on these two projects, we’re moving forward on these much anticipated safety improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “It’s part of our commitment to continue upgrading the Trans-Canada
Highway to four lanes between Kamloops and Alberta, to improve safety for all highway users.”
The two Highway 1 projects include Phase 2 of the Monte Creek to Pritchard project and Phase 1 of the Pritchard to Hoffman’s Bluff project. The governments of Canada and British Columbia are investing $110.6 million to improve Highway 1 between Monte Creek and Hoffman’s Bluff, with the Government of Canada contributing a maximum of $43.6 million through the Building Canada Fund.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure understands the archeological and cultural significance of this area to the Secwepemc people.
The ministry and local First Nations communities worked collaboratively during the archaeological investigation and mitigation phases of these projects and will continue to work together, minimizing impacts and preserving culturally significant sites during construction.
“The Neskonlith Indian Band supports the safety improvements that these highway projects will bring,” said Neskonlith Chief Judy Wilson.
“We are pleased with the work in developing a protocol for ancestral remains finds with government, and are encouraged by the direct involvement the Neskonlith community has had with the archaeological works.”
Last fall, Phase 1 of the Monte Creek to Pritchard project was completed, expanding a three-kilometre section of the Trans-Canada Highway from two lanes to four lanes between the Monte Creek Interchange to east of Bostock Road. Phase 2 of the project will widen a further 7.5-kilometre section of Highway 1 to four lanes, and includes a grade-separated interchange at Pritchard.
The total cost of this project is $49 million. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $16.7 million through the Building Canada Fund. Completion is scheduled for the summer of 2015.
The Pritchard to Hoffman’s Bluff project is the second Highway 1 project now underway. This project will widen a 5.8 kilometre section of Highway 1 to four lanes and construct a new safer intersection at Stoney Flats Road.
The Pritchard to Hoffman’s Bluff project will be completed in two phases. Phase 1 will widen a 2.8-kilometre section of Highway 1 to four lanes and is valued at $19.3 million, with completion scheduled for 2014. Phase 2 of the project will realign and widen the remaining three-kilometre segment of the Trans-Canada Highway through Hoffman’s Bluff. It is anticipated this next phase will go to tender in 2014.
This work is part of the B.C. government’s commitment to invest $650 million over 10 years to increase four lane sections and replace aging infrastructure along Highway 1 between Kamloops and the Alberta border. The Highway 1 Kamloops to Alberta Four-Laning Program will create 3,300 direct jobs over the next 10 years.
