Minister of State for Rural Economic Development, Donna Barnett, announced this morning funding for Phase 3 of the Cariboo Connector.
$200 million dollars of provincial funding is the Government’s long term commitment to improving the safety and efficiency of this highway connection to the north.
“As we continue to improve and finish the Cariboo Connector as was our commitment we will have one of the best Highways in British Columbia”.
Barnett said through these important infrastructure improvements, we are building projects that grow the economy and create jobs in communities like Williams Lake.
The ministry will be moving ahead with the first project of this phase, a four-laning project south of Williams Lake near Knife Creek Road. The ministry will commit a further $1 million to conduct engineering and development work on the first four projects of Phase 3. The engineering and design work will begin immediately.
Barnett also announced the construction project to four-lane Highway 97 and improve the intersections at Carson Drive and Toop Road-Final Project of Phase 2 Cariboo Connector has gone out to tender.
“We have made good progress with Phase 2 construction, with six projects completed, two in construction and this final project now out to tender with completion scheduled for fall of 2018,” said Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes. “Safety improvements along the Highway 97 corridor will continue to be prioritized as part of the Cariboo Connector Upgrade Project.”
A 1.5-kilometer section of Highway 97 will be widened from three lanes to four lanes between Carson Drive and Toop Road within Williams Lake. Intersection improvements will be made to the Highway 97/Carson Drive intersection and the Toop Road intersection. These improvements will reduce potential collisions with vehicles at Carson Drive and 11th Avenue and reduce potential collisions from vehicles decelerating to turn off of Highway 97. In addition, a multi-use path will be constructed, and improvements will be made to McKinnon Road, 11th Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North.
“The City of Williams Lake is pleased that the final project of Phase 2 of the Cariboo Connector will now be going to tender,” said Mayor of Williams Lake Walt Cobb.
“We have been preparing for this important project for a couple of years, and look forward to the construction and improvements to Williams Lake’s safety and access. There will be some traffic disruptions during construction but we are looking forward to the significant benefits to both locals and visitors.”
The City of Williams Lake is contributing $2 million to support construction on the connecting streets, including the multi-use path and bike path, pedestrian underpass, traffic signal, retaining walls, upgrades to municipal utilities, landscaping and traffic management.
Construction is anticipated to start this spring with completion estimated for fall of 2018.
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