Local Projects Part Of Highway Plan

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 17 March 2015 15:40
The B.C. government is committed to funding several local highway projects as part of a new ten year provincial transportation plan. Design work is underway for intersection improvements at Highway 97 and Birnie Road south of Vernon to make it safer to get to and from the landfill. Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster says the final plan still has to be determined. "There's several options. The city has put several forward and we've looked at them, so there will be lots of conversation between the city, the regional district and the province to come up with a plan," Foster tells Kiss FM. Also approved is upgrading the Kalamalka Lake Lookout rest area near Coldstream to add washrooms and other facilities. "The Kalamalka lookout became a designated rest area just last year, and having it equipped with the proper facilities is the logical next step," says Foster. "The lookout is an important stop for people travelling on Highway 97. We want to make sure that British Columbians are able to travel throughout the province as safely and comfortably as possible." Foster says the lookout will undergo a status change from a pull out to the rest are which increases the facilities with washrooms and picnic tables. "It also changes the contract for the roads contractor, the level of upkeep and so on. It's going to be a nice addition," adds the MLA. Meantime, Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo says design work has started for three more four-laning projects on Highway 1, including Hoffman's Bluff to Jade Mountain, Donald East, and Salmon Arm West. Kyllo says construction continues on four-laning Malakwa Bridge, Monte Creek to Pritchard, and Pritchard to Hoffman's Bluff. The province expects to spend 2.5 billion dollars over the next three years to improve B.C.'s transportation network.