Over $10.5 million will be invested to resurface more than 80 km of Highway 5, including sections near Valemount and Avola.
“This is an important stretch of road that links Kamloops with the North,” said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake. “Keeping this vital highway in top shape improves driveability and, most importantly, safety.”
This section of the highway provides access to numerous tourist attractions throughout the area, and is also the corridor link for commercial vehicles travelling between British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and Alberta.
“It is essential that we continue to invest in important transportation routes, including Highway 5,” said Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “This is a busy corridor with significant volumes of commercial, commuter and tourism traffic. Resurfacing will ensure a smoother, safer ride for all users.”
The project details include:
· Resurfacing of about 18 km of Highway 5 from Valemount to the Highway 16 junction at Tete Jaune Cache.
· Resurfacing of approximately 42 km of Highway 5 from Avola overhead to the Whitewater River.
· Highway and shoulder resurfacing of about 22 km of Highway 5 from Albreda to the CN overhead.
· The projects will go to tender this month, with construction this summer.
Since 2001, the Province has invested over $800 million in transportation and community infrastructure in Prince George-Valemount and the North Thompson.