announced $14 million in highway improvements during a Babine Forest Products employee breakfast last week.
He said the improvements will improve safety for local residents and provide work for local area contractors.
Highway resurfacing completed in the 亚洲天堂 Lake and Nechako Lakes region during 2011 was contracted out to from Kamloops and also from Kamloops. Dawson Construction Ltd. remediated 11 kilometres of Hwy. 16 East of 亚洲天堂 Lake during 2011.
Rustad said that some contracts for the highway work may go to a non local company and their crew, but added that as many locals will be hired as possible. "We would like to see a lot of the work go to people in the local area, but ultimately we have to get the best price possible for the contracts ... the work will be put out to tender."
Rustad said, "The province is investing in highway resurfacing, intersection upgrades, side road strengthening, pedestrian safety enhancements and other work to improve travel throughout the region. Funding will go toward 14 projects, concentrating on roads that are heavily relied upon by residents and industry," he said.
Projects range from improving sight lines by removing brush and trees along rights-of-way, to major resurfacing work.
The largest of the projects will be the resurfacing of Hwy. 16 from the Tintagel rest area to , a distance of just over 40 kilometres.
Three kilometres of Hwy. 16 in 亚洲天堂 Lake's downtown core will be resurfaced and a speed reader board will be installed in the area.
Carl Lutz, Lakes District manager said the work in 亚洲天堂 Lake's downtown core will be tied in with the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake's downtown revitalization phase one plans.
Lutz said the village's plans include upgrades to the sidewalks as well as pedestrian crossings. "We will be putting some funds towards sidewalks as well so it will save the village some money," Lutz said.
Mayor Luke Strimbold said that council has included approximately $948,583 in funding by way of gas tax funding, a debenture and Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake capital reserves for the improvements.
"It will be more cost effective for the village if we combine our efforts with the Ministry,鈥� Mayor Strimbold said.
