No. H075/02
For release July 3, 2002

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND PROVINCE OF 
BRITISH COLUMBIA CONTRIBUTE $75.4 MILLION 
TO FIVE HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN B.C.

OTTAWA - Natural Resources Minister and MP (Vancouver South-Burnaby) Herb Dhaliwal, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, together with British Columbia Transportation Minister Judith Reid, today announced that the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia will contribute joint funding of approximately $75.4 million for five highway construction projects in the province. The funding falls under the Canada/B.C. Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP).

Under the SHIP agreement, the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia will provide joint funding of $122.4 million until March 2006 for highway improvement projects in the province. The Canada/B.C. SHIP agreement, signed March 5, 2002, is part of the national $600 million SHIP program announced by Mr. Collenette in April 2001.

“This funding will play an important role in helping to improve British Columbia’s roads and highways,” said Mr. Dhaliwal. “This kind of support is crucial to economic development and public safety.”

“I am pleased that more than $37 million of federal funds from the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program is being used for these highway construction projects,” said Mr. Collenette. “These highway improvements will be beneficial for residents of the area, as well as for visitors and trade.”

The Government of Canada and the province will contribute joint funding of approximately $46 million to reconstruct the Yoho Bridge. The existing bridge is located on the Trans-Canada Highway between the town of Golden and Yoho National Park, and spans the Kicking Horse Canyon. The project involves replacing the 45-year-old structure with a new bridge, as well as upgrading 3.1 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway through the Kicking Horse Canyon to a four-lane, 100 kilometre/hour standard. This upgrade includes: reducing the grades on the highway; fixing substandard curves on the approaches to the bridge; and constructing low-level bridges to connect the project with the existing infrastructure. The project is expected to begin this summer, and be completed by summer 2005.

Another project involves upgrading a 1.4 kilometre section of Highway 97, which is the province’s principal north-south route, between the towns of Taylor and Dawson Creek. The shoulder of this stretch of highway will be widened, a curve will be realigned, and a climbing lane will be extended. The Government of Canada and the province will contribute joint funding of $11.78 million to this project. Construction will begin this summer and is expected to be completed by fall 2003.

At Woods Overhead, near Revelstoke, a two kilometre section of the Trans-Canada Highway, which is the primary east-west trade route for B.C., will be realigned. A new bridge across the Eagle River and CP Railway, and an access road, will also be constructed. The Government of Canada and the province will contribute joint funding of approximately $8.78 million to the project. Construction will begin this summer and is expected to be completed by fall 2003.

The federal government and the Province of British Columbia will contribute joint funding of $7.06 million to upgrade two sections of Highway 3/95 in the Moyie Bluffs area. A 1.2 kilometre stretch of existing highway between Loop Road and Bluff #2, and 1.9 kilometres of existing highway between Jerome and Peavine Creek, will be upgraded to two-lane conditions consistent with Highway 3/95 east and west of the project area. Specifically, sections of the existing road will be straightened and widened, and truck climbing lanes will be constructed. The project is expected to begin this summer and be completed by summer 2003.

Joint funding of $1.73 million will also be provided for a project on Highway 16 near Vanderhoof, where a 1.45 kilometre eastbound passing lane at Blackwater Road and a 1.75 kilometre passing lane at Shanley Road will be constructed. The project will begin this summer and is expected to be completed by fall 2002.

“Upgrading these sections of B.C. highways will help the flow of goods and services through the province, and enhance road safety in British Columbia,” said Ms Reid. “These projects are an example of how the ongoing cooperation between federal and provincial governments can make much-needed projects a reality.”

Funding for these projects was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

A backgrounder with further information on SHIP is attached.

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Contact: 
Anthony Polci 
Director of Communications 
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700

Jeff Knight
Communications
British Columbia Transportation
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 356-7707

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 BACKGROUNDER

In the February 2000 Budget Speech, the Government of Canada committed to improve the economy and the quality of life for Canadians by investing up to $600 million over five years in highway infrastructure across Canada. In April 2001, Transport Minister David Collenette announced the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP). The program has two components: a $500 million highway construction component and a $100 million national system integration component.

Under the program, $500 million, including $15 million for administrative costs, will be available to address the needs of Canada’s highways until March 2006. The program formally begins in fiscal year 2002-2003. The Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories to identify those parts of the national highway system that - because of growing traffic and increasing trade - need immediate attention. This will result in a safer and more efficient highway system for all Canadians.

An allocation formula has been developed to distribute the $485 million available to the provinces and territories for road construction under SHIP. The formula consists of a minimum of $4 million per jurisdiction plus a share based on population and a 50-50 cost-sharing ratio. Under this formula, the total federal allocation for the Province of British Columbia is $61.2 million. Under previous joint highway funding agreements since 1987, Transport Canada contributed $48 million to British Columbia. This brings the total funding from Transport Canada to $109.2 million.

Environmental assessments that meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act will be undertaken before these projects begin. Funding for the projects is conditional on the results of these assessments.

SHIP will also provide $100 million nationally to fund initiatives which better integrate the transportation system. These include the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems across Canada, improvements to border crossings and better transportation planning. Intelligent Transportation Systems include applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management and vehicle safety.

July 2002