SMITHERS – New Democrat MLA Nathan Cullen is welcoming provincial funding from B.C.’s Economic Recovery Plan for road and transportation improvements in the northwest that will enhance safety for users, encourage active transportation, and make travel easier and more efficient.
“Investments like these have a double bonus of giving a boost to our local economy, and helping people safely take advantage of the fantastic recreational opportunities that we have where we live,” said Cullen, MLA for Stikine. “I’m proud that our economic recovery plan focusses on rebuilding B.C.’s economy in a way that benefits people and communities directly.”
In Stikine, Economic Recovery Plan funding is going towards making improvements to the Cycle 16 Train, including design, brush clearing, and signage, and to shoulder widening projects on side roads to improve safety for people walking and cycling. Funding has also gone towards highway and forest service road (FSR) improvements, including slide and road repairs to Highway 37 south of Dease Lake, and improvements to the Hankin Evelyn FSR near Smithers and Suskwa FSR near Hazelton.
These projects are funded by investments provided through B.C.’s Economic Recovery Plan, including an investment of $28 million to upgrade provincial side, secondary, and forest service roads, and a $16.7 million investment supporting Move. Commute. Connect., B.C.’s active transportation strategy, a plan to make walking, cycling and other forms of active transportation as safe and convenient as possible.
This funding is part of $418 million overall allocated to revitalize community infrastructure, enhance connections between communities and get people back to work.
New Democrats introduced the Economic Recovery Plan to help people, businesses and communities recover and come out of COVID-19 stronger and better prepared. Investments in vital infrastructure will create local jobs, support small businesses and build a path to a low-carbon economy that creates opportunities for all. B.C.’s total provincial response to the COVID-19 pandemic exceeds $8.25 billion.
Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/23408