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VICTORIA –The government is launching a new program that will encourage highway safety, protect rest areas and provide investment opportunities for small business, Transportation Minister Judith Reid announced today.
Proposals will soon be requested for seasonal vending concessions to serve motorists within highway rights-of-way such as rest areas, pullouts and brake checks beginning late this spring. The program will enable vendors to sell food and non-alcoholic beverages to motorists, and will consider other business proposals that may provide amenities to the travelling public.
“We are responding to requests from the travelling public for more services at our rest areas,” said Reid. “Enhancing services will encourage motorists to take more rest breaks when they are travelling, which will help keep our highways safe.”
Reid said the new program will generate revenue that will help maintain and protect rest areas at a time when funding is limited. There are 162 rest areas in the B.C. highway network that cost approximately $4 million annually to maintain. More than 35 of the rest areas are being considered potential candidates for service opportunities.
Reid said the ministry will consult with local governments prior to implementation.
Last spring, the government passed the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), which provided the framework for commercializing highway rights-of-way. Previously, businesses were not permitted to operate in rest areas and other rights-of-way.
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