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BUILDING AND INVESTING IN NORTHERN HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE – ENSURING SAFE ROADWAYS FOR ALL BRITISH COLUMBIANS (2022)

2022
Transportation & Infrastructure

Northern British Columbia plays an integral role in the overall economy of British Columbia. Northern exports per capita are 50% above the provincial per capita export amount. The ongoing growth of exports leaving Canada via the Port of Prince Rupert, and other northwestern ports, to key Asian markets continues to validate the importance of safe and efficient highway infrastructure throughout Northern B.C. in order for the province to fully realize its economic potential.

 

Background

While the Province has made minor investments and improvements to the highways in the north over the past 18 years, further and rapid investment continues to be required to enhance the safety and efficiency of these critical components in a supply chain which is driving growth in the economy of British Columbia. With historic private investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Northern British Columbia ongoing, the corridors have seen increased commercial and passenger vehicle traffic during critical travel periods. A large majority of the highway infrastructure along these routes remain single lane. This creates significant safety and efficiency issues as growing levels of both passenger and commercial traffic share space within dangerously restricted laneways. Higher clearances are also required in most areas of the highway corridor to enable direct and less expensive transport of large equipment within The North. Finally, substantial rerouting of some portions of the inter-provincial highway system needs to be undertaken to remove commercial traffic and dangerous goods from downtown urban areas.

Northern British Columbia highways have seen substantial increases in traffic even over the past two years of the pandemic. As an example, pipeline projects may be between 600 and 900 kilometers long. With commercial vehicles carrying two to three 50-foot sections at a time, a single pipeline installation has generated 15,000 or more additional truckloads on the roadways during construction, simply to transport the sections of pipe required, let alone transportation of other components, equipment and personnel.

Through Budget 2022, specific funds were allocated to the lower mainland including planning for the widening of Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley, Skytrain extension from Surrey to Langley and other significant projects, however no mention of any highways projects in Northern BC were included. The Chamber would like to see the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s long term capital plan include specific priorities for Northern British Columbia approved and receive the necessary allocation of funds.

 

THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS

That the Provincial Government:

  1. Undertake rerouting of Highway 16 to the south of Prince George City proper so that this heavily travelled commercial and dangerous goods route no longer bisects the downtown of a major city, and provide the same improvements to safety and congestion in Prince George as are being developed in Cache Creek and Quesnel;
  2. Initiate planning for future projects on the Cariboo Connector after completion of the remaining projects, determine a timeline and commit budget for the four-lane expansion of the Connector by 2028;
  3. Embark on technical and safety improvements to Highway 97 from Quesnel to Dawson Creek which will enable 5.3 metre (18 foot) high clearances for transporting large manufactured equipment between Central and Northeast BC to upgrade and replace structures, such as bridges and overpasses, to accommodate industry needs;
  4. Fasttrack the Taylor Bridge Replacement Project by moving the project out of the 10-year capital plan and expediting the replacement to happen by 2026;
  5. Conduct a needs assessment of the Cariboo Connector and Highway 16 to identify high-priority areas for the installation or alteration of median, guardrail, and wildlife barriers to improve highway safety and access for emergency vehicles; and
  6. Work with Chambers of Commerce, municipalities, regional districts, and destination marketing organizations along Northern British Columbia highways to ensure proper engagement is performed with user groups at all levels.