I am pleased to present the Ministry of Transportation's 2004/05 – 2006/07 Service Plan.

The past year has seen some historic changes that will improve the way transportation services are delivered in British Columbia. The government entered into a partnership for BC Rail that is expected to bring $1 billion to British Columbia, eliminating the railway's debt and supporting new job growth. The ministry will continue to pursue partnerships and other innovative approaches to make the most of the public's investment in transportation.

Across the province, major improvements can be expected on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, the Trans-Canada Highway, the Okanagan corridor, the Okanagan Lake Bridge and the Nisga'a Highway. We are improving the roads in the province's Heartlands used by rural residents and resource industries, as well as the roads leading to our northeast oil and gas fields. We are working to reduce congestion in Vancouver and are making it easier to move goods between seaports, airports and intermodal terminals.

We have long encouraged the federal government to recognize British Columbia's role as Canada's gateway to the Pacific and key U.S. markets. This approach has secured federal funding of $220 million for provincial projects and $300 million for the planned Richmond-Airport-Vancouver (RAV) Rapid Transit Project. We will continue to seek out opportunities for co-operation in the future.

As promised in previous service plans, the ministry has established eight Regional Transportation Advisory Committees. These independent committees will bring a stronger local voice to ministry planning by identifying regional transportation priorities.

The transportation system is crucial to British Columbia's economic and social health. The investment strategies in this plan will keep the system safe and reliable and improve it in ways that will drive economic growth and trade.

Honourable Kevin Falcon
Minister of Transportation

February 4, 2004