Getting training for transportation careers in Quesnel

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

More people in Quesnel will be able to train for careers in transportation and gain the skills needed to move into in-demand jobs as commercial drivers through an expanded workforce training program.

“People say they feel better and are better off when they have a job, so we’re removing barriers to skills training,” said the Hon. Sheila Malcolmson, BC's Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “That’s why in partnership with the Government of Canada, we’re investing $343,248 in Quesnel to deliver hands-on training and work experience for people facing barriers to employment, including in transportation.”

Through the Community and Employer Partnerships program, the Province is providing the funding to the College of New Caledonia to expand its DRIVE Program, the college's commercial driver training program. Funded by the Government of Canada under the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, the project will support as many as 16 participants through employability skills training, occupational skills training, industry certifications and licensing supports.

“Every Canadian deserves the fair chance to succeed, and that starts with the right support in the right places,” said the Hon. Patty Hajdu, federal Minister of Jobs and Families. “Through our partnership with British Columbia, we are helping people in Quesnel access the training, skills and supports they need to pursue rewarding careers in the transportation sector. When people can build on their strengths and reach their full potential, our communities and our economy are stronger. Together, we are building a Canada where no one is left behind.”

The fully funded program helps remove barriers to training by providing local access to industry-recognized commercial driver training and certifications in Quesnel, giving participants an opportunity to prepare for careers in the transportation sector without leaving their community.

Building pathways to transportation careers

The expanded DRIVE Program will provide two intakes of participants with essential and employability skills training, occupational skills training, short-term certifications and ICBC testing. Participants will receive the training and supports needed to prepare for careers as transport truck drivers, bus drivers and other transit operators.

“The College of New Caledonia pleased to see such strong interest in the DRIVE Program,” said Pamela McInroy, director, community and continuing education, College of New Caledonia. “This fully funded, in-person program reflects the importance of making education and skills training accessible in the communities we serve. We are proud that participants in the recent Quesnel cohort successfully completed the program, gaining industry-recognized certifications, building confidence and preparing for employment in a field that supports regional workforce needs.”

Supporting workforce needs

Commercial drivers play a vital role in keeping people, goods and services moving throughout British Columbia. By helping participants gain industry-recognized skills, certifications and connections to employers, the program will help address workforce shortages in the transportation sector, while creating pathways to meaningful employment.

“The program was amazing,” said Lynn Ferguson, a DRIVE program participant. “I enjoyed every moment. I most-enjoyed my instructors. They had so much patience with me and didn't go without many giggles along the way. The benefit for me is a whole new job search, focusing on being a school bus driver. I know someone with a dump truck that I'm now learning to drive. I would definitely recommend this to someone who wants a career change.”

The program supports the Province’s Look West strategy by strengthening B.C.’s workforce and helping people connect to good jobs in sectors facing labour shortages, such as transportation.

Quick Facts:

Participants in the second intake began training on July 20, 2026.

The expanded program runs through November 2026.

Learn More:

To learn more about Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada, visit:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/look-west-strategy

For more information about the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, visit:

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/training-agreements/lmda.html

Learn more about the College of New Caledonia online: https://cnc.bc.ca/

Two projects will ensure reliable highways in the Cariboo-Chilcotin

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

People in the Cariboo-Chilcotin will benefit from improved highway safety and reliability with two restoration projects that will stabilize roads located on historic landslide sites. 

“Restoring safe and reliable highways and roads in the Cariboo supports vital services and connections for people in the region,” said the Hon. Rob Fleming, BC's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “With weather patterns changing as part of our new climate reality, building infrastructure that withstands extreme weather in the long term will keep people safe and maintain critical goods movement corridors across the Province.”

On Highway 97 at Cottonwood Hill north of Quesnel, a segment of highway affected by a significant slow-moving landslide will be stabilized. Highway 97 is a north-south artery that provides crucial access between communities in the region and is vital to the province’s economy.

On Blackwater Road at Knickerbocker Road, a road segment affected by landslides will undergo realignment and reinforcement, as well as measures to help prevent future slides in the project area.

Crews at both sites are completing work, such as geotechnical investigations, which includes collecting soil and water samples to inform the project designs, and environmental investigations. Construction is scheduled to begin next year. 

These are the first two projects within the Cariboo Road Recovery Projects program to move to construction. Both are being designed with a focus on resilience to changing weather patterns while addressing stability issues and building infrastructure for the long term.

The Province has approved $538 million in funding for these projects. This includes $334.6 million for the Highway 97 at Cottonwood Hill project and $203.4 million for the Blackwater Road at Knickerbocker Road project.

To learn more about the Cariboo Road Recovery Projects, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/cariboo

2 New Bridges installed in Cariboo RD Area "F"

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Residents, emergency services and commercial vehicles have more reliable crossings now that the Cave Road and Knife Creek Road bridges are complete.

“The Cariboo has been particularly hard hit by changing weather patterns in recent years,” said the Hon. Rob Fleming, BC's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Improved infrastructure like this gives people confidence that essential goods and emergency services won’t be cut off during extreme climate events. Ensuring communities remain connected during and following natural disasters is critical to our commitment to building back better.”

The new Cave Road bridge is designed to be more resilient to future flooding. It is built on an elevated steel foundation with no supports in the waterway, minimizing environmental impacts of the construction and providing more room for waterflow compared to the previous culvert design. The single-lane, clear-span structure crosses Wiggins Creek 65 kilometres northeast of Williams Lake.

The new Knife Creek Road bridge, which crosses Coldspring Creek 12 kilometres east of Highway 97 at 141 Mile House, is also a single-lane, clear-span structure built to withstand increased flooding. Both bridges were completed in May.

Tsilhqot’in Eten Nadiltil Limited Partnership was awarded a $3.04-million contract to deliver the project.

Both bridges replace temporary emergency structures installed when the spring 2020 freshet washed out the culverts at both creeks.

Contract awarded for Highway 97 intersection safety improvements in South Quesnel

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Work will start soon on a safety improvement project to make travel easier and safer for people on a section of Highway 97 at the south end of Quesnel.

The contract for the project has been awarded to IDL Projects Inc. Work is slated to start in late August 2021. The project includes widening 1.1 kilometres of Highway 97 and improvements to two key intersections along the eastern approach to the city.

Traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Highway 97 and Racing Road/Dragon Hill Road to reduce collisions, which are historically high at this intersection. The addition of traffic signals will improve safety for people who regularly drive this route, including commercial truck drivers. It will also provide better access to the local road network and adjacent businesses.

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

Construction is expected to finish in fall 2022.

The B.C. government is contributing $11.3 million to this $19-million project. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $7.7 million through the New Building Canada Fund – Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects.

Learn More:

Information on Highway 97 Quesnel intersection improvements is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/highway97racingroad

For more information on federal infrastructure funding, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca

Cariboo-Chilcotin Region communities benefit from economic recovery funding

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

People living in British Columbia’s Cariboo region are benefiting from nearly $4 million in transportation investments made to support the region during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, 13 projects ranging from transportation upgrades in rural and remote communities to climate adaptation projects have been completed. Throughout the province, more than 180 projects received economic recovery funding.

“Investment in our transportation infrastructure has never been more important as we focus on recovery from the pandemic,” said the Hon. Rob Fleming, BC's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “These infrastructure recovery projects are important for communities as they improve access to crucial services and provide good jobs that lay the foundation for strong economic growth.”

Through StrongerBC, the Province has provided:

• nearly $1 million to support projects focused on climate adaptation to improve the resiliency of the region’s highway network and decrease the negative effects of climate events, including flooding, wildfires and erosion. Projects included riverbank erosion protection, creek channel training, culvert upsizing, flood protection works, slope erosion protection and avalanche system maintenance; and
• more than $3 million to support projects focused on upgrading side and secondary roads in rural and remote communities. These projects were part of a $418-million investment to revitalize community infrastructure, enhance connections between communities and help get people back to work. Projects included paving, shoulder widening, lighting installation and crosswalk markings.

One project that received funding is Highline Road near Lillooet. This remote, winding road included considerable brushing and gravel production to clear sightlines, improve drainage and strengthen the road. The delivery of this project was in collaboration with the N’Quatqua Nation, which provided traffic control.

StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan is one of the ways government is working to support businesses impacted by the pandemic, while building toward a more innovative, sustainable and inclusive economic future.

Learn More:

Learn more about B.C.'s strategy for climate adaptation: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/adaptation

Learn more about B.C.’s economic recovery plan, StrongerBC: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/

Background on work completed in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region here

Freshet response underway in Cariboo-Chilcotin

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

A co-ordinated effort to ensure people have safe, reliable roads in the region is underway as work to repair flooding and damage continues at over 100 road sites in the Cariboo.

Approximately 200 people from the ministry and its contractors are working on the spring freshet response. In addition, 90 pieces of heavy equipment have been deployed throughout the Cariboo to repair damaged sites.

“People in the Cariboo are understandably concerned with flooding in the region and the damage it is having on the roads,” said the Hon. Rob Fleming, BC's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “We are working hard to quickly fix roadways that are damaged and to prevent damage in the future, so families can be safe on the roads in the Cariboo and throughout B.C. Thank you to the crews that have been working long hours to repair the damaged roads and create safer driving conditions for people in this region.”

A District Operations Centre (DOC) was established in Williams Lake on May 10, 2021, to support this emergency and facilitate a co-ordinated response. The DOC is staffed with local and other area subject-matter experts to support the crews working to fix damaged roadways. These work crews are also ensuring the repairs consider how future damage might be prevented.

During the spring freshet, people can go to DriveBC.ca – click the “B.C. flooding information” link in the sidebar and see a list of Cariboo side roads closed or impacted. The site includes photos of work underway to repair roads.

People with questions about a particular Cariboo road, or a side road they do not see listed, can call the DOC’s toll-free line – 1 844 933-0333 – for the most up-to-date information. This phone line is strictly for road information in the Cariboo during the spring freshet.

To date, over 40 sites have been repaired. These include:

• Dog Creek Road – completed a culvert installation and ditch work at the Roberts Drive intersection;
• Northern Ranches Road – repaired soft road surface areas by placing rock in the road base and capping with crushed gravel; and
• Quesnel – Hixon Road (near Landry Road) – placed protective riprap on the bank of the river and hauled gravel to repair soft spots on the road.

To report a road-related emergency or maintenance concern in the 100 Mile or Williams Lake area, call Dawson Road Maintenance, toll-free, at 1 800 842-4122. In the North Cariboo, call Emcon Services, toll-free, at 1 866 353-3136.

Quick Facts:

• In 2020, the ministry invested $30 million in freshet repairs and upgrades throughout the Cariboo and is on track to make a similar or higher level of investment this year. 
• With help from StrongerBC, $5.6 million has been proactively invested over the past six months to increase supply of riprap, culverts and other response materials, along with strengthening side roads and ditches for flood mitigation. 
• Through Budget 2021, the ministry is investing $819 million into highway corridor rehabilitation throughout the province.

Learn More:

For travel restrictions and precautions due to COVID-19, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/travel/current

For the most up-to-date highway travel information, visit: www.DriveBC.ca
Or @DriveBC on Twitter.

For a direct link to B.C. flooding information and a listing of side road closures, visit: https://www.tranbc.ca/current-travel-advisories/

To learn more about spring freshets, visit:
https://www.tranbc.ca/2011/05/11/what-is-freshet-hint-its-not-an-air-freshener/

To view photos of repair sites, go to: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tranbc/albums/72157719044969991

Province moving forward on Highway 97 intersection safety improvements in Quesnel

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Safety improvements are coming to a section of Highway 97 just east of Quesnel.

The project will involve widening 1.1 kilometres of Highway 97 and improvements to two key intersections along the eastern approach to the city.

Traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Highway 97 and Racing Road/Dragon Hill Road, which has a historically high collision rate. The addition of signals will improve safety for all road users and provide better access to the local road network and adjacent businesses.

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

Utility relocations have already begun, and tendering will open in the coming weeks. With a successful tender, construction is anticipated to start in August 2021 and finish in fall 2022.

The ministry has investigated and confirmed the nearby Red Bluff slide will not impact this project.

The Government of British Columbia is contributing $11.3 million to this $19-million project, while the Government of Canada is contributing up to $7.7 million through the New Building Canada Fund – Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects.

Learn More:

Information on Highway 97 Quesnel intersection improvements is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/highway97racingroad

More information on federal infrastructure funding: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca