Former transportation minister ‘baffled’ by delay in Hwy 1 twinning

Jul 5, 2018 | 5:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The B.C. government will be taking a break from construction on the Trans-Canada Highway between Hoffman’s Bluff and Chase this year. 

Former Transportation Minister Todd Stone says he’s baffled by the delay. 

During their time in government, the Liberals announced $199 million of funding for the remaining three sections of the highway twinning project stretching from Kamloops to Jade Mountain. 

Stone says delaying the project is unacceptable. 

“We’re hearing stories like this around the Interior and the north of highways projects in particular that are either being scrapped entirely, or are being pushed out, or we’re seeing scope change in terms of some projects,” Stone said.  

“Is this because we have a government that doesn’t have a lot of representation outside of the Lower Mainland? I certainly hope not. But, I can’t explain why this project, which had all of the funding approved, the design is ready to go, the tender is ready to go, why we’re now going to face another potentially one year delay before construction starts.”