Rural Development minister Bernadette Jordan announced on July 3 six upcoming transportation infrastructure projects, including two affecting the Town of Golden.
On the Trans-Canada Highway, a 2.5 kilometre stretch will include an expansion from two lanes to four, and safety improvements such as median barriers, and wildlife exclusion fencing, and the closure of two access roads near Selkirk Mountain, located about half way between Golden and Revelstoke.
On Highways 93 and 95, 48 kilometres of improvements are to be made, beginning in Golden on Highway 95, all the way to Fort Steele, and into Kootenay National Park. This project will include intersection improvements and corridor upgrades along the highways.
The federal government has funded $45,741,474 to the Trans-Canada upgrade and $17,971,615 to Highway 93 and 95 projects.
Jordan announced the funding for these two highway projects along with four other projects in the province in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Fort St. John, Taylor District, and Jaffray Village. The funding works to connect communities, boosting trade and tourism, strengthening the economy and middle class.
The government hopes these construction projects will help reduce congestion and increase safety by widening lanes, replacing bridges, consolidating access roads, improving rock catchments, altering medians for better visibility, adding passing lanes, and replacing culverts.
The federal government is contributing more than $185 million over 12 years to fund these projects through the New Building Canada Fund.
