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

April 30th Open House Scheduled for Bouchie and Milburn Lakes Area

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

An open house will be held on April 30th, 2022 for residents and stakeholders in the Bouchie and Milburn Lakes area (Cariboo Regional District Area B) at the Bouchie Lake Community Hall from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. This is an opportunity to review, ask questions and provide comments on the Bouchie-Milburn Neighbourhood Plan which is almost complete.

The Bouchie-Milburn Neighbourhood Plan (BMNP) was developed with extensive input and feedback from the community. By actively engaging with a wide cross-section of Bouchie-Milburn residents, property owners and stakeholders; the BMNP Steering Committee identified the community’s priorities, concerns, and long-term vision for their area.

“It will be great to have an opportunity to engage face-to-face with the community again at the open house on Saturday, April 30th. It is important that a neighbourhood plan is developed by residents who provide input on priorities, concerns, and opportunities for the future”, said Cariboo RD Area "B" Director Barb Bachmeier

This is an opportunity to learn what was identified as priority objectives for the neighbourhood regarding transportation, community amenities, housing, land use, recreation, telecommunications and more.  Come find out about population projections, what services and amenities were identified as top priorities, how much housing supply can be expected in future years, how water quality and the natural environment can be protected, what active transportation routes can improve safety and access to key community destinations, and why the community wants agricultural land uses to be protected.

Come meet Area B CRD Director Barbara Bachmeier and Nigel Whitehead, CRD Manager of Planning Services who are happy to listen to your questions, input and provide any answers during the open house. For those that can not make the open house event, the plan and survey is available online: cariboord.ca/bmnp.