March 17, 2010
Nechako Lakes Roads Among Major New Northern Hwy Projects

VANDERHOOF – The Nechako Lakes region has received funding for six new road construction projects that will improve smoother, safer, and quicker transportation throughout the area.

“Northern communities depend heavily on safe, reliable transportation infrastructure,” says Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. “These projects, together with dozens of new projects across the North, will help provide 1,200 jobs while building up our road networks and helping our communities and local economy to move forward and prosper.”

The six local projects were among a list of 51 new provincial highway projects for northern British Columbia announced today by Premier Gordon Campbell and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond. The new projects are valued at $87 million, bringing the total funding of  ongoing highway construction across the North to more than $200 million. It is estimated that these projects will create over 1,200 direct jobs. Almost 400 highway and other transportation infrastructure projects are scheduled this construction season across British Columbia.

“Many of these projects will be excellent opportunities for our smaller contractors, who employ local workers and local equipment,” said Jack Davidson, President of the B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association. “The work our members will do this construction season on hundreds of projects across the province will benefit British Columbia's economy for years to come.”

The new projects for the Nechako Lakes region are as follows:

Project
Description of Work
Highway 16W Crack Sealing
Ongoing crack sealing program along Hwy 16 west to prevent pavement deterioration.
  
Morice River FSR at Hwy 16 Intersection Improvement
Construct intersection improvements at the intersection of Hwy 16 and the Morice River FSR in Houston.
Highway 16 Safety Improvements
Various safety and operational improvements
Vanderhoof West O/H Bridge Deck Resurfacing
Resurface the Vanderhoof West O/H bridge deck located on Highway 27.
Germanson Landing Road
Intermittent reconstruction, drainage, gravelling and dust control over 105 km on the Germanson Landing Road north of Fort St. James.
Vanderhoof Area Misc Sideroads Improvements
Gravelling and calcium application on approx. 40 km of various roads as necessary throughout the Vanderhoof area.

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