Improvement to rural roads
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Three North Island communities will benefit from $1.2 million in grants to upgrade logging roads and improve travel and safety.
“For many rural communities, forest service roads are a vital part of the local road network,” said Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell Oct. 1. “We’ve already spent $14 million since we started work this spring and we’re well on our way to meet our $20 million commitment by the end of the fiscal year. In partnership with the Government of Canada, we’re going to see further travel and safety improvements over the next couple of years.”
Work began this past spring and will continue through the 2011 construction season. Work includes bridge repairs and replacements, ditching and culvert repairs, clearing brush to improve sight lines, removing loose rock from slope faces, new road safety signage, road widening, grading and resurfacing.
“Whether it’s accessing health care, exploring new mineral opportunities, or opening new regions to tourism, the benefits of this investment will strengthen the province as a whole,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development.
A failing wood bridge on the 43 kilometre road serving Zeballos, Fair Harbour and recreation sites will be replaced, said a press release, with total funding at $640,000 to include a look at rebuilding the causeway.
Also being improved is the access road to Winter Harbour, at a cost of $550,000. A 7-metre permanent concrete slab bridge will replace an existing log bridge on the way to Winter Harbour, said the release, while a 15-metre permanent bridge will replace an existing wooden one on the access road to Cape Scott. Also being replaced are three major wood box culverts.
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