Simon Fraser Bridge Builders Recognized

Thursday, July 29, 2010 03:15 PM

l-r Pat Bell, John Rustad, Shirley Bond and Mayor Dan Rogers look on as Premier outlines new viewing area for sign

PRINCE GEORGE - Premier Gordon Campbell was joined by Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George Dick Harris and Prince George Mayor Dan Rogers to recognize all those who worked on the twinned Simon Fraser Bridge.

"Earlier this year we committed to recognize all workers who contributed to building major public infrastructure projects in British Columbia," said Premier Campbell. "Today we're following through on that commitment by honouring the dedicated people who helped make the Simon Fraser Bridge a reality, helping pave the way for a brighter economic future in
Northern B.C."

The commemorative plaque ( ion photo at right) includes the names of 400 people who were involved in the planning, engineering, design and construction of the twinned Simon Fraser Bridge.

At the plaque unveiling, the workers were represented by William Thomson, an employee with Surespan, one of the project contractors, as well as Wayne Denluck of IDL Projects of Prince George.

"We are all very proud to have worked on a project of such provincial importance," said Thomson. "We built a bridge that will benefit the North for many years to come, and with this recognition, the names of all workers will live on just as long."

"The Simon Fraser Bridge and our Cariboo Connector strategy are vital components in the development of Prince George as a major transportation hub for the Asia Pacific Gateway, industry, local business and tourism," said Bond. "Equally important are the hundreds of men and women whose vision, expertise and labour helped bring this project to fruition."

"The economy of Northern BC. is built on the hard work and ingenuity of its residents," said Rogers. "This recognition of those who helped build the twinned Simon Fraser Bridge will be a permanent reminder of our proud northern spirit."

In addition, the Province unveiled an artist's rendering for the green space surrounding the plaque installation in the interchange and along the trails linking the Simon Fraser Bridge to the Prince George area trail network. The Province has partnered with the city of Prince George, which will contribute shrubs, trees, plants and a park bench to the location.

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Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2010 03:15 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: supertech on July 29 2010 7:30 PM

"honoring the dedicated people" Yeah right, for doing their job. This reeks of photo op.

Posted by: willowynde on July 29 2010 8:07 PM

Another photo opportunity for dear old Campbell. As usual at the taxpayer's cost. When will people wake up and ask about the cost of this stuff?

Posted by: Palopu on July 29 2010 8:24 PM

I hope the people who worked on the twinning of the John Hart Bridge, and the building of the New Cameron St., bridge will not get their noses out of joint because they were not recognized.

This is Politics pure and simple, and of course the same old crew standing around with silly grins on their faces.

The fact of the matter is, the twinning was never necessary. There have been 2500 jobs that have disapeared from the BC Rail Industrial Park in the last 10 years, and a huge decline of traffic on Highway 97. In addition once the scale was moved , traffic moved quicker.

The money should have been (and should be) spent on Highway 16 West. This is where there is a huge influx of traffic, and lots of serious accidents. People from as far away as Kitimat/Terrace come to Prince George to shop etc; We have very few people who come here from the South.

Posted by: Eagleone on July 30 2010 2:15 AM

I wonder if they would stand for the standard of landscaping on the approaches that this bridge has if it was located on the Island or in the Lower Mainland?

Posted by: acrider54 on July 30 2010 5:37 AM

The only "builders" recognized and are taking all the credit are pictured in the picture, great to see all them politicians in the photo op.

Posted by: thedogs on July 30 2010 7:55 AM

my god they were busy yesterday gordon shirley john pat, lots of pictures for the next election looking concerned pointing at pictures and doing some mock digging pure political photo op... did we actualy need them there at all?

Posted by: Dragonmaster on July 30 2010 9:33 AM

Wheres the plaque that recognizes the people that payed for it?