The BC Liberal Government will invest a further $1.5 million over the next three years as part of its ongoing commitment to improve the safety of Highway 101.
January 8, 2007
VICTORIA – The BC Liberal Government will invest a further $1.5 million over the next three years as part of its ongoing commitment to improve the safety of Highway 101, Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon announced today.
The funding will provide safety measures the ministry has identified from a comprehensive safety review that it started in October 2005, in co-operation with the communities of Gibsons and Sechelt. These improvements are in addition to the $1.2-million project completed in fall 2006 that added a fourth lane on Highway 101 between Pratt and Mahan Roads in Gibsons to improve traffic flow and safety.
“The safety of our highways is our top priority,” said Falcon. “The communities along this highway are growing and with that growth comes more traffic. This work will help make Highway 101 safer for the surrounding communities and the travelling public.”
The improvements will include:
- High-visibility all-weather pavement markings;
- Enhanced signage to raise the alertness level of drivers to potential safety hazards, including approaching curves;
- Pedestrian and cyclist safety features, including shoulder widening where pedestrian and cyclist use is required;
- Pullouts for school and transit buses where appropriate;
- Enhanced lighting where night-time visibility has been identified as a problem; and
- Intersection improvements where accident histories suggest they are needed.
“On behalf of local residents and all those who travel Highway 101, Sechelt thanks the Sunshine Coast Transportation Advisory Committee for helping to identify critical road safety improvements, and the Province for funding these safety upgrading projects,” said Mayor Cameron Reid of the District of Sechelt.
“This is a good first step toward addressing our concerns about the highway,” said Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk. “It’s laudable that the Province has listened to our community and we look forward to continuing to work with the Province to make Highway 101 safer for everyone.”
“A safe highway also depends on education and enforcement,” said Falcon. “That’s why we’re also going to work with local stakeholders including schools, RCMP and community safety groups to help promote safety on this road.”