By Cheryl Jahn

Highway 16 needs attention

May 13, 2021 | 3:56 PM

VANDERHOOF – The resource sector has been a blessing for the economy of this region, but it has been a curse for Highway 16.

“The resource industry this past year has been incredibly busy,” says Gerry Thiessen, Mayor of Vanderhoof. “We have seen a lot of activity happening. And certainly, forestry is not the only one. We’re seeing mining and certainly oil and gas. So this highway requires a lot of attention.”

A portion of the highway washed out last month due to a mudslide at Lloyd Drive. And traffic is expected to increase over the summer months, as it usually does, as folks from Prince George commute to their cabins on and of the numerous lakes west of town.

However, the suggestion for helping is a costly one.

Homeowner grant
Local politicians raise concerns over province "taking advantage of the north"
A few moments ago
Highway of Tears
Public safety ministers attend Highway of Tears Symposium
15m ago
Council of Forest Industries
Economic impact report on forestry grim
19m ago

“If they can’t four-lane the highway from Vanderhoof to Prince George, they certainly three-laning is something they should look at because there’s much more activity from Highway 27, which is at the weigh scales west of Vanderhoof through to Prince George than the rest of Highway 16. There is a lot of traffic on the road right now.”

But with all the wash-out in the Cariboo this spring, the likelihood of Highway 16 seeing attention is slim.

by Cheryl Jahn

What's Trending

Homeowner grant
Local politicians raise concerns over province "taking advantage of the north"
A few moments ago
Highway of Tears
Public safety ministers attend Highway of Tears Symposium
15m ago
Council of Forest Industries
Economic impact report on forestry grim
19m ago
Wanted Wednesday
32-year-old man wanted on drug trafficking charge
1h ago
Tidewater
Tidewater penalized for 'high-risk violation'
3h ago