BOSTON BAR, B.C. — Recovery funds will help rural communities upgrade forest service roads in B.C., officials announced this month.
The province plans to spend $28 million to upgrade side, secondary and forest service roads. The funding is going to two programs and is part of $418 million allocated to revitalize community infrastructure, enhance connections between communities and get people back to work.
“Our economic recovery plan is focused on helping people, businesses and communities across B.C. build back stronger as we recover from COVID-19,” said Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure, in a press release. “We are investing in infrastructure people in remote and rural areas of British Columbia rely on to access their communities, creating good jobs and supporting people across our province.”
Of the funds, $20 million will be spent on more than 80 shovel-ready projects to improve travel around rural Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
The province also noted the program is designed to provide job opportunities. Much of the work will be performed by maintenance contractors, local contractors and day labour using the ministry’s Hired Equipment program. The projects include local paving, shoulder widening, lighting installation and crosswalk markings. The program includes riprap (rock) placement and stream enhancements for fish habitat.
Currently, 31 of the more than 80 planned projects are complete, and 37 more are underway.
The remaining funds will go towards approximately 75 projects through Enhanced Forest Service Road Maintenance to help upgrade forest service roads in various locations. These projects will also generate jobs for forest sector workers who have been hit hard during the pandemic.
These roads often serve Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities that rely on them to access public services.
“Upgrading these forestry roads will help improve safety for a number of rural communities while creating jobs and providing new economic opportunities for people living in these areas,” said Katrine Conroy, minister of forests, lands, natural resources operations and rural development. “All British Columbians are experiencing challenges as a result of the ongoing pandemic, and those in rural parts of the province often face additional hurdles as a result of their remoteness. This investment will help maintain and improve access routes to various Indigenous and rural communities and recreation areas.”
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