Image Credit: Government of BC
Highway improvements

Contract awarded for Highway 97 safety improvements in Quesnel

Aug 4, 2021 | 9:35 AM

QUESNEL —The contract for a project that will bring safety improvements for a section of Highway 97 at the south of Quesnel has been awarded.

The contract will go to IDL Projects Inc. of Prince George with work slated to start later this month.

The project will involve widening 1.1 kilometres of Highway 97 and improvements to two key intersections.

Traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Highway 97 and Racing Road/Dragon Hill Road which has a historically high collision rate.

At Highway 97 and Quesnel Hydraulic Road, improvements will make it safer for drivers to turn off onto the highway. The southbound left turn lane from Highway 97 onto Quesnel Hydraulic Road will allow more spaces for vehicles to slow down without impeding traffic. Left turns onto the highway 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, as well as drainage to remove surface water efficiently.

Construction is expected to finish in fall 2022.

The provincial government is contributing $11.3 million to this $19-million project, while the federal government is contributing up to $7.7 million through the New Building Canada Fund.