April 29, 2010
TRAVELLER SAFETY IMPROVED WITH PASSING LANE EXTENSION

FRASER LAKE – The extension of a passing lane and intersection improvements near Fraser Lake will improve traffic flow and increase safety for the travelling public, thanks to the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for the Highway 16 - Holy Cross Passing Lane project.

“The extension of the Holy Cross east bound passing lane on Highway 16 will allow passenger vehicles to safely pass slower-moving industrial and recreational traffic in the climbing lane,” said Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. “This project will reduce traveller frustration, eliminate unsafe passing and will also be better for the environment.”

With the harvest of the mountain pine beetle-impacted pine, there are a high number of industrial trucks accessing the highway east of Fraser Lake, either off the Holy Cross Forest Service Road or entering the highway from the local mills. The Fraser Lake area also enjoys a relatively high number of tourists during the summer months. By improving traffic flow and reducing delays on the highway, safety is improved and reduce vehicle emissions will be reduced.

The contract worth $1,463,190 was awarded to IDL Projects Inc. Located six kilometres east of Fraser Lake, construction of the 1.5km eastbound passing lane extension between Holy Cross FSR and Orange Valley Road, is expected to begin mid-May and to be completed by September, 2010. Improvements will also include a right turn lane onto the highway at the Holy Cross FSR and improved alignment and overhead lighting at Orange Valley Road. During construction, single lane traffic and delays up to 20 minutes are to be expected.

The federal contribution to this project comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure projects. Since March 2009, almost 400 projects have received a total federal investment of over $490 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund across British Columbia.

Since October 2008, over $5.3 billion has been committed for accelerated capital projects across British Columbia, which is estimated to generate more than 34,000 construction jobs over the life of the projects.

Visit John’s website at www.johnrustadmla.bc.ca

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