Highlights of the Year
Our investments in British Columbia's transportation infrastructure will strengthen our economy, improve safety, and enhance the flow of goods and people throughout the province and across our borders.
In 2005/06, the provincial government directly invested $731 million in B.C. transportation improvement projects and undertook other initiatives to strengthen our transportation industries. The ministry co-operated with its federal, provincial, regional, municipal, First Nations and private sector partners to protect and expand the transportation network. Some important highlights of 2005/06 are listed below.
Kicking Horse Canyon
From Golden to Yoho National Park, this multi-phase project will upgrade 25 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway to a modern four-lane standard. The project will make this important national gateway safer and will allow traffic to flow more smoothly. Achievements in 2005/06 include:
- Signing a private partnership agreement for construction of the Park (10-Mile) Bridge; and
- Nearing completion on the Yoho (5-Mile) Bridge.
Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project
The project improves the safety, reliability and capacity of the scenic highway between Horseshoe Bay and Whistler. It also supports the provincial commitment for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Achievements in 2005/06 include:
Signing a partnership agreement with the S2S Transportation Group;- Substantially completing the Ansell Place to Kelvin Grove section, ahead of schedule;
- Extensive and proactive consultation with the public, business groups, First Nations, municipal officials and regulatory agencies; and
- Several awards including the Institute of Transportation Engineers award for technical achievement, the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships award for innovation and excellence in public-private partnerships and financing, the Canadian Consulting Engineering award for excellence, and the Consulting Engineers of B.C. award for merit.
William R. Bennett Bridge and Approaches
The Okanagan Lake crossing area has the highest traffic congestion in the Interior of B.C. This project replaces the existing 3-lane bridge with a new 5-lane floating bridge and fixed high level span which will provide an 18 metre-high navigation channel. The Westbank First Nation will deliver upgrades to a full movement interchange at Campbell Road. Milestones for 2005/06 include:
- Signing a partnership agreement with SNC Lavalin for the bridge;
- Substantially completing the dry-dock; and
- Commencing preliminary design for the Campbell Road Interchange.
Gateway Program
The program focuses on reducing congestion and facilitating public transit throughout Greater Vancouver. The planned improvements along and across the Fraser River represent an estimated investment of $3 billion and are targeted for completion by 2013. In 2005/06, the program met these important milestones:
- Released the Program Definition Report;
- Posted the Pitt River Bridge and Mary Hill Interchange Request for Qualifications;
- Completed public consultation on the South Fraser Perimeter Road section between 80th Street and the Alex Fraser Bridge; and
- Commenced pre-design consultation on the Port Mann/Highway 1 Project.
Asia-Pacific Gateway
Asia-Pacific to North America container traffic is expected to expand by 300 per cent over the next 15 years. B.C. intends to capture a significant share of this market growth through its Pacific Gateway Strategy, which calls for new and expanded transportation links to the Pacific through the Port of Prince Rupert and the Port of Vancouver.
A one per cent increase in container traffic through B.C. ports would create roughly 4,000 new jobs and provide $250 million per year in economic benefits for B.C. By 2020, the port industry alone could grow to support 50,000 jobs, pumping $1.7 billion into the provincial economy.
In 2005, Minister Kevin Falcon joined a transportation trade mission to the People's Republic of China, B.C.'s third largest trading partner. The trade mission promoted B.C.'s competitive advantages and cultural links, and helped identify new ways to capitalize on China's massive economic growth.
Kootenay Pass Avalanche Program Improvements
The program vastly improves avalanche control on one of the most avalanche-prone highways in North America. Kootenay Pass is a vital transportation corridor in south-east B.C. The new system in this pass features Gaz-Ex cannons, a remotely-operated avalanche control system. The improvements were completed this year when the last Gaz-Ex cannon was installed. Benefits include:
- Enhanced safety for the public, maintenance contractor and ministry crews; and
- Reductions in road closure times, which translate into about a $2 million per year cost savings for local and provincial economies.
