Policy & Positions Manual
Provincial Issues - Transportation and Infrastructure
Highway Transportation in the North East Region of BC (2011)
Efficient transportation systems are critical to building modern, robust and diversified economies. Communities in Central and Northern BC along Highway 97 corridors are at the heart of the provincial resource economy and accounted for over $4.09 billion in revenue to the Province in 2008.
The Province has made substantial investments in the stretch of highway from the Alberta Border to Fort St. John in the past decade. However, serious accidents and deaths along this stretch of highway are a common occurrence and further, the amount of Heavy industrial traffic on the road is substantial and would be considered above-average when compared to other major corridor highways in the province.
Given the continued industry activity in the Northeast and the bright outlook of the oil and gas industry and the entire growth prospects in the Northeast, BC needs to immediately begin plans to twin the stretch of Highway 2 and Highway 97 between the Alberta Border and Fort St. John including dealing with the substantial challenges of the North and South Taylor Hill as well as the Bridge crossing the Peace River.
The economy of the Northeast is dependent on the efficiency of highway 2 and Highway 97 north; as both routes are the only primary transportation link between communities and the busy oil and gas exploration areas. The route is heavily used by the energy industry, tourists and by local traffic.
Although the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure has identified improving this stretch of road as one of his three top transportation priorities in BC, there are no plans currently in place to twin the highway in the near or long term.
THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS
That the Provincial Government develop a plan and timeline to twin the route along Highway 2 and Highway 97 from Fort St. John to the Alberta Border within the next 5 to 10 years and begin immediate improvements to the most serious spots.
