WHEREAS rural and remote communities in British Columbia are experiencing renewed economic development; AND WHEREAS accessing communities through established transportation routes is a vital component for fostering economic development: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM recommend that the provincial Transportation Minister take a proactive approach and refurbish existing highways accessing rural and remote British Columbia communities.
Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is very aware of the importance of transportation routes in rural and remote communities in British Columbia and recognizes that anticipated growth in these communities, as a result of increased industrial development, will necessitate improvements along transportation corridors. The Ministry continues to proactively deliver a substantial road rehabilitation program throughout the province. Ministry staff, through regular reviews of the highway infrastructure and with ongoing stakeholder feedback from the public, local governments, First Nations and industry, continues to rehabilitate and repair highways. The Ministrys Good Roads Cost Less philosophy is one of the main drivers of our rehabilitation program. This approach aims to minimize rehabilitation costs over the life cycle of the infrastructure by extending the life of assets. As part of this philosophy, we conduct annual surveys of road condition to ensure that preservation funding is directed to the areas of the province where preservation is most needed and also to ensure that our preservation budget keeps up with the condition of the infrastructure. Over the last three years 201112 to 201314 the Ministry has invested more than 1.3 billion in highway improvement projects upgrading roads and bridges in rural and remote communities around BC, including resurfacing, bridge replacements, four laning and intersection improvements, to name a few. In addition to our Expansion and Rehabilitation Programs, the Ministry has an annual maintenance program that is delivered continuously by the Maintenance Contractors throughout the province. This program works to maintain and preserve the highway system in its entirety to ensure safety and reliability for all users. The Ministry will continue to monitor changing travel patterns as the economics of rural and remote communities grow and adjust our expansion and rehabilitation programs to ensure our highways remain in good repair. The work aligns with the priorities of the Ministrys BC on the Move A Ten year Transportation Plan, in that it will focus on: - Moving goods and people safely and reliably; - Growing the economy; - Connecting and strengthening communities; and - Maximizing collaboration and investment with partners, including First Nations, the federal government, regional and local governments and the private sector.