No Pine Pass on List of Highway Improvements

Thursday, March 18, 2010 03:52 AM

Prince George, B.C. – While Premier Gordon Campbell announced $87 million dollars in road repairs and upgrades throughout the north yesterday, the one section of highway missing from the list of projects is the Pine Pass.

Upgrades to that stretch of highway 97 would allow for the movement of goods and equipment too wide for the narrow road, and too high to pass safely under the railway overpasses.

The Premier says the engineering and business case planning are underway for that highway.

The Northern Development Initiatives Trust, and Initiatives Prince George have pressed for improvements to the highway saying economic opportunities are being lost because of the road’s condition. IPG CEO Tim McEwan says he will continue to press the Province for the necessary funding for the road improvements “It is something they are aware of, and we will keep it front and centre.”

Businesses argue they are losing out on opportunities to service the oil patch or future mining projects to Alberta companies which have better access to that part of B.C.

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Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2010 03:52 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Mercenary on March 18 2010 6:32 AM

They're working on the Pine Pass right now. It looks to me like they are taking out two of the worst corners on that road.

Posted by: gus on March 18 2010 7:26 AM

And the info says they are working on the "business case". In other words, while there are wants from people here, are there real needs?

I know, it is unusual to do that. I could save 3o minutes getting to Fort Nelson that way ..... or I could keep on flying there.

Let's face it folks. One could build a super highway there as straight as an arrow through the Rockies the way the Italians do it. It would not change the face of the Peace. Their lifestyle and connection is Albertan, not BC and will continue to be so into the far distant future. No $2 billion hihgway is going to change that.

Posted by: He spoke on March 18 2010 8:12 AM

I think Gus, is correct. I absolutely agree with the approach of reviewing a business case before going out and spending 300 million dollars to improve this corridor.

It may sound good to improve it, but it should be justifiable by accountants and experts in the field. Thus improvements being made at the right locations, instead of politicians choosing popular locations. The obvious is to get rid of the overpass before powder king.

Once the initiative to fix the road is in place, the likely hood of any dirt being moved will still be two years away. Designing the road takes as long as building the road.

If they are going to be serious about the access to the north east corner, They probably should be running it through the Hudson Hope area, Thus it will definitely will be an advantage over Alberta. With the improved highway from Prince George to Charlie Lake, We should be able to zip to Fort Nelson in 8 hr drive time

Posted by: swingline on March 18 2010 8:19 AM

Monkman Pass all the way!!

Posted by: DPJ on March 18 2010 11:35 AM

It was previously announced so why announce it again with the new funding.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 18 2010 2:32 PM

Pine Pass.... now there is a stretch of highway that needs some work!
It just nver seems to happen, but if they are working on the nasty corners,that's a good thing!
Unfortunately it needs a lot more than just that!