Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia Identify Improvements to Highway 97 near Prince George for Priority Funding

Prince George, British Columbia, January 21, 2008 — The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia today announced that improvements to Highway 97 near Prince George and the relocation of the commercial vehicle inspection station near Red Rock Road south of Prince George have been identified as a priority for federal funding of up to a maximum of 50 per cent of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $11.3 million under the base funding component of Building Canada, the Government of Canada’s new long-term infrastructure plan.

The Honourable Jay Hill, Secretary of State and Chief Government Whip and MP for Prince George-Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, made the announcement together with the Honourable Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Mount Robson and Deputy Premier.

“The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the safety and efficiency of transportation routes. The relocation of the inspection station will help ease congestion and pressure on Highway 97 outside of Prince George, and will contribute to the faster and safer flow of local, tourist and trade traffic,” said Secretary of State Hill. “As part of Building Canada, we are investing in infrastructure priorities to increase community safety, help our growing economy, and protect our environment.”

"Relocating the weigh scales and inspection facility is an important project along the Cariboo corridor and part of our government's overall commitment to revitalize B.C.'s highways, bridges, ports and airports," said Deputy Premier Bond.

The initiative involves expanding a 5-kilometre section of Highway 97 from two lanes to four, and relocating a commercial vehicle inspection station near Red Rock Road. These improvements will increase safety and reduce congestion on the highway, and will reduce wait times experienced by commercial vehicles at the inspection station. The upgrade should be completed in 2009.

“This federal/provincial cooperative agreement ensures that the much-needed highway upgrade and relocation of the south commercial vehicle weigh scale are carried out in a prompt and fiscally responsible fashion,” said Prince George North MLA and Minister of Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat Bell.

“Today’s announcement has been eagerly anticipated by the trucking industry, our motorists who regularly frequent this portion of Highway 97 and our Ministry of Transportation staff, who have been working on the project details the past few years,” said John Rustad, MLA for Prince George-Omineca.

Federal financial support is conditional on the initiative meeting all applicable federal eligibility requirements under Building Canada. Moving forward, the Province will now have to provide its funding as announced and formally propose the initiative for funding to the federal government under the Building Canada Plan.

Through its unprecedented $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada will support a stronger, safer and better country. Under Building Canada, the province of British Columbia stands to receive over $2.7 billion from 2007 to 2014.

For further information contact :

Karine White
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700

Tamara Little
Public Affairs Director
Ministry of Transportation
Province of BC
250 387-7787

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148