Canada and British Columbia to fund Highway ۱ upgrade

TIN news:  The governments of Canada and British Columbia (BC) have revealed plans to upgrade and expand a major section of the TransCanada Highway east of Chase with a joint investment of $92.6m ($68.9m).
Both governments expect that this upgrade project will improve transport infrastructure, enabling easy movement of vehicles across the country.
The project works would include expansion of 3.1km stretch of highway from two lanes to four between Chase West and Jade Mountain, as well as bridge upgrade at Chase Creek, and constructing access improvements at Shuswap Avenue East, Mattey's Road and Coburn Street.
Design of the project is ongoing, while consultation with First Nations and engagement with community stakeholders continues.
Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi said: "Expanding Highway 1 from Chase West to Jade Mountain will allow Canadians to spend less time on the road and more time with their families, and make it easier for businesses to get their goods to markets.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to contribute to this important project. Strategic investments in transportation infrastructure help address congestion and bottlenecks along vital rail and highway corridors, and around transportation hubs and ports."
Currently, the project design work is underway, while the consultation process with First Nations and engagement with community stakeholders is also in progress.

"Expanding Highway 1 from Chase West to Jade Mountain will allow Canadians to spend less time on the road and more time with their families."

Construction work is expected to begin in 2019 and is slated for completion in 2021.
Once complete, the project will improve safety, access and traffic-flow for local residents, tourists and commercial drivers.
British Columbia Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone said: "This investment into improvements east of Chase will help ensure the Trans-Canada Highway is safer, less congested, and has more passing opportunities for all who travel it, including the First Nations communities, regional commuters, local residents, tourists, and commercial drivers.
"The Chase West to Jade Mountain project is also another great example of how we are building a Strong BC for the future and creating high paying, family supporting jobs."
For this project, the Government of Canada is contributing up to C$36.7m ($27.3m) through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National and Regional Projects, and the government of BC is contributing the remaining C$55.8m ($41.5m).
The investment is expected to create nearly 270 direct jobs over the life of the project.