Photo: TransBC

Summer must be right around the corner because construction season appears to be kicking into high gear.

Work to expand and improve safety on the Trans-Canada Highway to four lanes, between Donald and Forde Station Road, near Golden is set to get underway.

"The Government of Canada is making unprecedented investments in infrastructure, to promote economic growth and create middle-class jobs across the country,” said Amarjeet Sohi, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “I am very pleased to see that construction has begun to upgrade this busy stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway, which is vital to the movement of goods between Alberta and British Columbia. Widening this stretch will not only increase driver safety, but also help ensure residents in the region enjoy a high quality of life for years to come."

The Donald to Forde Station Road project is located 20 kilometres west of Golden and features the widening of a 2.5 kilometre stretch of the highway to four lanes.

"The Trans-Canada Highway is a vital link for the people of British Columbia, and this is the first of many four-laning projects between Kamloops and the Alberta border in the next three years,” said Claire Trevena, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Widening the highway to four lanes, right through to the Golden weigh scale, will make the corridor safer for people and support our trade network.”

The cost of the project is estimated to be $19.4 million, with the cost being shared between the Government of Canada contributing up to $7.27 million through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund, and the Province providing the remaining $12.13 million.

The B.C. government is committed to upgrading the highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border and has so far committed $464 million to this program over the next three years under Budget 2018.

Construction also means drivers can expect delays and are reminded to follow traffic control at all times.