The B.C. government says new maintenance contracts for three regions in the north will mean better winter highway conditions.
Yellowhead Road & Bridge Ltd. was awarded Service Areas 19 and 23 which cover roads for Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Prince George, and Mackenzie and include Highways 16, 27, 39, and 97.
Interior Roads won the contract for Service Area 19, which includes provincial roads for Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, and Hudson’s Hope and Highways 97, 29, and 77.
The government says the new maintenance contracts require higher standards and a more proactive approach during severe weather event occurs.
Highways 16, 97, and other Class A routes must be returned to bare pavement within 24 hours of a winter weather event.
The contracts call for increased communication with the public about rapidly changing road conditions during severe weather events and increased patrol frequency to four hours in anticipation of the weather event.
The 10-year contracts have an option for a 5-year extension.
