March 15, 2007

Rustad Announces Repairs for Highway 16

The stretch of highway between Gauthier/Bunce Roads and Lloyd Drive will be strengthened and then rehabilitated using hot in-place recycling. Fernie-based R.W. Blacktop Ltd. won the $3,147,840 contract for the upgrades. Increased heavy traffic on the highway as a result of the mountain pine beetle kill harvest has been a major factor in causing the existing highway to show signs of rutting and to begin deteriorating rapidly.

"These are some much needed improvements as the road surface has faced excess stress recently as a result of the beetle-kill wood harvest," said Rustad. "With the harvest expected to last for the next several years, it couldn’t be more important for this project to take place. I’m really pleased that our government is acting to ensure the safety of the motoring public and to extend the longevity of our highway."

Road work is expected to begin in June, and the project will be completed in mid-September.

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