The section from Hoffman's Bluff to Chase hasn't started since the 2017 provincial election (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

HIGHWAY TWINNING

Transportation minister unsure of when Trans Canada twinning projects could resume

Jun 5, 2019 | 4:52 PM

KAMLOOPS — B.C’s transportation minister says twinning the Trans Canada Highway is a priority. But during a visit to Kamloops Tuesday, Claire Trevena didn’t provide any definitive timelines on when work could resume.

The last completed section in the Thompson region was Hoffman’s Bluff. Since the NDP took over power, work to twin the highway has stalled.

“I wouldn’t say it’s been delayed,” noted Trevena. “I would say we’re continuing to work, as the previous government did, continuing to work with communities to make sure we get the right highway for both the communities, for us as a province, for everyone who is using it as their main commercial link for B.C.”

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The government has awarded its first contract to start twinning sections of the Trans Canada east of Revelstoke. But Trevena doesn’t know when work near Chase may start.

“We’re continuing to work with communities. We’re going to ensure we get the right project there, and we’re continuing to go through our own internal processes,” said Trevena. “We are working as fast as we can. My mandate is to accelerate the twinning, the four-laning of the Trans Canada. I want to make sure that we are accelerating it.”

Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone, the former transporation minister, says there have been unnecessary delays when dollars were already committed to the twinning project.

“We had almost $200 million secured by both the provincial and federal governments in 2016 to move forward with the next 11 kilometres of four-laning between Hoffman’s Bluff and Chase,” said Stone. “We were ready to go to tender in the summer of 2017. There was an election that intervened.”

Hoffman’s Bluff was the last section of Highway One to be widened (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

The Village of Chase has been in constant communication with ministry staff in Kamloops throughout the process. While Chase would like to see construction begin, it’s more concerned about the government maintaining the three entry points into the village that are instrumental for its long-term survival as a community.

In addition to delays, Stone says there have been cost overruns. The section near Revelstoke is already $22 million over budget.

“A 30 per cent increase in the overall project budget for this four-laning section just outside of Revelstoke. You’re actually, taxpayers are actually going to get half a kilometre less of four-laning as part of the delivery of this project,” said Stone. “Why? Because the John Horgan government has imposed on major infrastructure projects, a union-only requirement for the labour.”

In 2016, John Horgan, as the opposition leader, pushed for highway construction to be accelerated. Two years later as premier, motorists are still waiting for the first project to begin.