BC Liberal candidates for the Kamloops-North and -South Thompon ridings said today they are fighting hard to ensure $106 million is invested to improve the safety of roadways in the Kamloops region.
This includes a $1 million investment, according to a media release, to rebuild the Clearwater River Road, which was washed out by high waters mid-summer. It also includes $30 million to construct three additional passing lanes between Kamloops and Blue River.
“Tourism operators in the Kamloops-North Thompson suffered this year immensely, not only did they face issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but one of the main access roads for white water rafting companies washed out in July,” said candidate for Kamloops-North Thompson, Peter Milobar.
Residents in the North Thompson region are in “desperate need” of a passing lane expansion, “making our rural highways safer,” he added.
The release said each dollar spent on transportation by a BC Liberal government will go farther than those spent by the NDP. They are also committed to scrapping the NDP’s “community benefits agreement” for major construction projects, which they said have led to price increases in several projects, most notably, the four-laning of the Trans-Canada Highway near Chase.
These projects will generate job opportunities in the region for local contractors and residents, and will improve community safety, the candidates said in the release.
“Peter Milobar and I will work hard to ensure four-laning of the Trans-Canada Highway between Hoffman’s Bluff and Chase Creek Road is completed,” said Kamloops-South Thompson candidate Todd Stone, adding the project is an estimated $75 million investment. “This stretch of highway is important not only to the surrounding communities, but also to those travelling through British Columbia to the Alberta border.”
The candidates are also advocating for rural roads that are built safely and are repaired quickly.
“No British Columbians should be excluded from the infrastructure projects that connect our communities,” said the release. “These three initiatives will help people in the Kamloops-Thompson region stay connected, operate their businesses and travel around the region.”