Work will start soon on a project to make travel easier and safer on Highway 97 at the south end of Quesnel.
A contract for the project has been awarded to IDL Projects Inc. with the work to start later this month, the provincial government said Wednesday.
The project includes widening 1.1 kilometres of Highway 97 and improvements to two key intersections along the eastern approach to the city.
Traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Highway 97 and Racing Road/Dragon Hill Road to reduce collisions, which are historically high at this intersection.
"The addition of traffic signals will improve safety for people who regularly drive this route, including commercial truck drivers," the provincial government said in a statement. "It will also provide better access to the local road network and adjacent businesses."
At Highway 97 and Quesnel Hydraulic Road, a southbound left-turn lane from the highway will be contructed to allow more space for vehicles to slow down without impeding highway traffic. Left turns onto the highway southbound will be restricted.
A centre median will be installed along Highway 97 between the two intersections to separate opposing lanes of traffic and to better define the lanes when visibility and weather conditions are poor. New LED streetlights will be installed to provide better visibility as will new drainage to remove surface water more efficiently.
Construction is expected to finish in fall 2022.
The B.C. government is contributing $11.3 million to this $19-million project. The federal government is contributing up to $7.7 million.
