infrastructure

The Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure released its preliminary design for the proposed Quesnel North-South Interconnector in 2020, but then balked at advancing the project. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure website)

Prince George supporting Quesnel traffic plan

The Quesnel North-South Interconnector appeals to neighbouring city, too

 

Johnston Bridge over the Quesnel River (Quesnel Cariboo Observer file photo)

Maintenance on Quesnel bridges causing disruptions

Temporary adjustments to traffic are needed to keep bridges in shape

 

Preventative maintenance work to prevent damage from spring freshets takes place on West Fraser Road in early December. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure expects this work to continue until mid-March. The ministry has issued a tender for the project to rebuild and realign West Fraser Road, and that construction is expected to begin in spring 2021. (Karen Powell Photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

West Fraser Road near Quesnel reopens 5 years after major flood damage

Washout in 2018 finally repaired, permanent traffic flows restored

 

Emcon Services attended to a major washout in April that ate an entire lane out of the Barkerville Highway. The erosion damage can’t be fixed until water levels drop lower. There is single-lane alternating traffic in effect until then. (Emcon Services photo)

Quesnel-Barkerville Highway washout stabilized

Highway 26 repairs will start when water drops

Emcon Services attended to a major washout in April that ate an entire lane out of the Barkerville Highway. The erosion damage can’t be fixed until water levels drop lower. There is single-lane alternating traffic in effect until then. (Emcon Services photo)
Premier David Eby and other voices in B.C. are calling on the federal government to increase infrastructure spending in the province as its population grows. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province, municipalities ask feds to show them the infrastructure money

Demands include money for housing, physical infrastructure but also social services

Premier David Eby and other voices in B.C. are calling on the federal government to increase infrastructure spending in the province as its population grows. (Black Press Media file photo)
From left are Campbell River RCMP Sgt. Kimberly Rutherford, Northern Development Initiative Trust CEO Joel McKay, North Island MLA Michele Babchuk and Citizens’ Services Minister Lisa Beare announcing the new $75 million fund to expand cell service on B.C. highways. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

B.C. announces more funding for highway cell coverage

Greater connectivity intended to make it safer for travellers in rural and remote areas

From left are Campbell River RCMP Sgt. Kimberly Rutherford, Northern Development Initiative Trust CEO Joel McKay, North Island MLA Michele Babchuk and Citizens’ Services Minister Lisa Beare announcing the new $75 million fund to expand cell service on B.C. highways. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
A proposed interconnector project would include rebuilding the Quesnel River Bridge and the Quesnel Rail Crossing north of the existing structures. On budget day, MLA Coralee Oakes asked for a government update on the bridge component. (Melanie Law photo)

Oakes urges answers on Quesnel River Bridge

MLA looking to advance major infrastructure piece

A proposed interconnector project would include rebuilding the Quesnel River Bridge and the Quesnel Rail Crossing north of the existing structures. On budget day, MLA Coralee Oakes asked for a government update on the bridge component. (Melanie Law photo)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tries his hand at driving an intelligent electric vehicle during a visit to the University of Trois-Rivieres, Wednesday, January 18, 2023 in Shawinigan, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Lack of vehicles and infrastructure hampers effort to switch federal fleet to EVs

Around 17,000 vehicles need converting

  • Feb 22, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tries his hand at driving an intelligent electric vehicle during a visit to the University of Trois-Rivieres, Wednesday, January 18, 2023 in Shawinigan, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Health Minister Adrian Dix said Cowichan Tribes’ companies can work at the construction site of the new Cowichan District Hospital. (Ministry of Health graphic)

Stalement that has slowed construction of $1.4 billion B.C. hospital over: Dix

B.C. health minister says local Indigenous companies free to work at hospital site near Duncan

Health Minister Adrian Dix said Cowichan Tribes’ companies can work at the construction site of the new Cowichan District Hospital. (Ministry of Health graphic)
District of Sicamous council is sending a letter to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to emphasize the need to prioritize and expedite the R.W. Bruhn Bridge replacement project due to safety hazards in its current state. (District of Sicamous photo)

Province urged to prioritize Highway 1 bridge replacement at Sicamous

RCMP sergeant calls Bruhn Bridge a hazard drivers have had to endure for too long

District of Sicamous council is sending a letter to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to emphasize the need to prioritize and expedite the R.W. Bruhn Bridge replacement project due to safety hazards in its current state. (District of Sicamous photo)
Bonnie Forsythe with her family at the Coachman Apartments complex in Terrace. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)

‘Feeling like we’re drowning’: Tenants of rundown B.C. building fear for future

Tenants living in “shocking” conditions fear losing what little they have left

Bonnie Forsythe with her family at the Coachman Apartments complex in Terrace. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)
Rogers Communications says Nanaimo is the first city in Canada to receive the company’s high-speed, high-capacity 3500 MHz 5G service. (Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press)

B.C. city Canada’s first to connect to Rogers’ new high-capacity network

Company says 3500 MHz 5G debuting in Nanaimo will benefit wide range of clients

Rogers Communications says Nanaimo is the first city in Canada to receive the company’s high-speed, high-capacity 3500 MHz 5G service. (Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press)
This photo from Conny Amelunxen, a snow avalanche forecaster and photographer, was taken Nov. 19, 2021, four days after the landslide that destroyed a portion of Highway 99, also called the Duffey Lake Road, and claimed the lives of five people. The landslide, at the right, can be seen leaving the logging road and heading down to Highway 99. (Contributed)

‘Predictable and preventable’: Engineer says abandoned logging road contributed to fatal B.C. landslide

Fingers pointed only at intense storms when resource roads may be at root of many slides in province

This photo from Conny Amelunxen, a snow avalanche forecaster and photographer, was taken Nov. 19, 2021, four days after the landslide that destroyed a portion of Highway 99, also called the Duffey Lake Road, and claimed the lives of five people. The landslide, at the right, can be seen leaving the logging road and heading down to Highway 99. (Contributed)
Fruitvale council’s decision to start having EV owners pay for power consumed at the municipal charging station brings up the question of who’s footing the bill elsewhere. In downtown Trail this EV was charging up early Monday morning at one of the free charging stations. Photo: Trail Times

West Kootenay town nixes ‘free’ charging station for EVs

A grant had previously covered the expense at the municipal charging station in Fruitvale

Fruitvale council’s decision to start having EV owners pay for power consumed at the municipal charging station brings up the question of who’s footing the bill elsewhere. In downtown Trail this EV was charging up early Monday morning at one of the free charging stations. Photo: Trail Times
The CanPac Valour will be laying the cable for the project. Photo by Marc Kitteringham / Campbell River Mirror

3,400 kilometres of cable bringing high-speed internet to B.C. coast

Connected Coast project officially launched in Campbell River

The CanPac Valour will be laying the cable for the project. Photo by Marc Kitteringham / Campbell River Mirror
Ken Hardie, Liberal MP for Fleetwood-Port Kells. (Submitted photo)

Feds, province announce $5.7M for 9 infrastructure projects in northern B.C.

Projects will include community hall retrofit and concrete sidewalk

Ken Hardie, Liberal MP for Fleetwood-Port Kells. (Submitted photo)
The Johnston Bridge has continued to see deterioration as council debates what should be done to fix it. (Quesnel Observer File Photo)

City council choses direction for aging Johnston Bridge

They’ve requested a report to get a complete price tag for a comprehensive repair

The Johnston Bridge has continued to see deterioration as council debates what should be done to fix it. (Quesnel Observer File Photo)
Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes shared this photo of the binders and binders of letters and paperwork she’s received on area roads in the past few years. (Submitted photo)

Cariboo MLAs call on province to fix region’s roads

Minister Rob Fleming said more resources were on the way to the region

Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes shared this photo of the binders and binders of letters and paperwork she’s received on area roads in the past few years. (Submitted photo)
Council will discuss the Johnston Bridge repairs at their May 11 council meeting. The bridge’s lifespan could be extended by up to 20 years, at a cost of between $2 - $2.5 million. (Quesnel Observer File Photo)

Quesnel council to debate Johnston Bridge repairs May 11

City staff gave four options for repair, recommends comprehensive fix

Council will discuss the Johnston Bridge repairs at their May 11 council meeting. The bridge’s lifespan could be extended by up to 20 years, at a cost of between $2 - $2.5 million. (Quesnel Observer File Photo)
The Cariboo Regional District board has endorsed a NCLGA resolution from Area D director Steve Forseth asking for there to be a separate pool of grant funding for rural areas to apply for infrastructure upgrades. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

NCLGA resolution from CRD calls for separate infrastructure grant funding for rural areas

Rural areas are competing against municipalities, said Area D director

The Cariboo Regional District board has endorsed a NCLGA resolution from Area D director Steve Forseth asking for there to be a separate pool of grant funding for rural areas to apply for infrastructure upgrades. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)