Much to be done to improve the TCH

With respect to transportation improvements, the Government of BC just released its BC on the Move, A 10 Year Transportation Plan document.

This document outlines the provincial plan for moving forward with all forms of transportation improvements over the next three to 10 years. You can check it out on the provincial website at http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/.

I must admit, it is interesting reading. I recognize this is a big province and there is a lot of work to be done. The following paragraph, found on page three, states the province will, “invest approximately $1 billion over the next three years to ensure our network has the capacity and reliability to meet transport and trade needs, with maximum safety and minimal delays and uncertainties.” Sounds good.

Then it goes on to say they will continue Trans-Canada Highway four-laning projects between Kamloops and the Alberta border. At one point they identify the need for federal funding.

This is a big project and I am sure we need federal funding to complete it. The TCH is the main east/west transportation route across the country. I appreciate that much has been done on this road but there are still so many more vital improvements to complete. Now, I get to page 21 where it talks about the TCH improvements being completed over the next 10 years. What?

These improvements should be the main priority and completed sooner rather than later! Safety is the priority, followed closely by the economic impacts of an unreliable road.

How many devastating accidents resulting in fatalities and road closures has there been on this section of the TCH?

How many more people will die and how many more road closures will there be if it takes 10 years to complete these needed improvements?