$16.9 MILLION TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON HIGHWAY 97A

ARMSTRONG – A $16.9-million contract has been awarded to four-lane a section of Highway 97A, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon announced today.“This is a busy stretch of highway and by creating four lanes, residents, travellers and commercial traffic will have more passing opportunities, less frustration and safer access on and off the highway,” said Falcon. “Investments in key infrastructure projects like these help to preserve the economic vitality of the Okanagan and Shuswap.” The project will widen 4.2 kilometres of Highway 97A between Larkin and Crozier Road from two to four lanes. Construction will include a new interchange with two roundabouts at the ramps onto the highway, as well as a local road to connect Highway 97A with the new interchange. “This project will be a great benefit to communities in our region,” said Shuswap MLA George Abbott. “Expanding this section of road will improve safety, mobility, capacity, reduce delays and improve travel times.” Emil Anderson Construction Inc. of Hope was the successful bid winner. Work is expected to start in mid-March and finish in the fall of 2010. Funding will also come from the federal government under the $33-billion Building Canada plan. On November 6, 2007 the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia signed an Infrastructure Framework Agreement under Building Canada worth $2.2 billion for infrastructure initiatives from 2007 to 2014.