Over $10.5 million will be invested to resurface more than 80 km of Highway 5, including sections near Avola and Valemount, according to a media release on Tuesday.
“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.”
The project will include resurfacing of approximately 42 km of Highway 5 from the Avola overhead to the Whitewater River near Blue River.
Also included will be highway and shoulder resurfacing of about 22 km of Highway 5 from Albreda to the CN overhead just south of Valemount, as well as resurfacing of about 18 km of Highway 5 from Valemount to the Highway 16 junction at Tete Jaune Cache.
”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 media release notes that this section of Highway 5 is an important route, providing access to numerous tourist attractions throughout the area. This corridor is a key link for commercial vehicles traveling between British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and Alberta.
Since 2001, the provincial government has invested over $800 million in transportation and community infrastructure in Prince George-Valemount and the North Thompson.
The projects will go to tender this month, with construction this summer.