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“In many areas, Forest Service roads provide
essential connections for rural residents and access to recreation sites,” said
Bell. “Keeping these roads safe and open is important to the quality of life
for residents of Mission and visitors alike.”
The Norrish Creek Forest Service road is 15
kilometres east of
“These
improvements are so important for people who have to use these roads,” said
Randy Hawes, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission. “We are giving these people an extra sense of security and hopefully
we can encourage other people to get out and visit the recreational sites that
these roads service.”
The Chehalis River Forest Service road near
Harrison Mills provides access to recreation sites at
“Communities in this region have told this
government they value the economic and social opportunities that come from
having a stronger road network. We listened and we are taking action to
strengthen the connection between isolated communities and city centres,” said
Krueger. “Whether it’s accessing health care, exploring new mineral
opportunities or opening new regions to tourism, the benefits of this
investment will strengthen the region as a whole.”
The Lost Creek Forest Service road, two kilometres east of Mission,
provides access to 30 properties licensed to the Stave Lake Leaseholders
Association and to Davis Lake Provincial Park. The road also provides access to
a popular recreation area including sites at
“B.C.’s recreation sites and trails are not only enjoyed by the local communities, they’re also an important part of our diverse tourism offerings,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Tourism Culture and the Arts. “By improving forest service roads, we’re ensuring that these sites and trails can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike for years to come.”
British Columbia’s 55,000-kilometre network of Forest Service roads is bigger than the provincial highway system. As first announced by Premier Gordon Campbell at the 2008 Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, the Ministry of Forests and Range is providing $20 million to improve travel conditions on Forest Service roads that serve as crucial transportation links to rural communities and recreation sites. The Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada committed on April 7, 2009 to a further $20 million in shared funding for additional Forest Service road upgrades that will be announced in the coming months.
New road maintenance funding is the latest in a series of initiatives to improve safety on Forest Service roads, which include the establishment of radio protocols, speed enforcement through expanded use of radar guns, and the expansion of the Vehicle Identification Plates Program.
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Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-4592 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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