Highway 77 to undergo construction

A major upcoming construction job along highway 77 has been awarded to a Dawson Creek construction company.

On Monday, Peter’s Bros. Construction Ltd. was awarded a contract of over $8.9 million, to pave the existing sealcoat surface along Highway 77 in Northeast B.C.

The paving will take place from the end of the existing pavement at kilometre 83 to the Northwest Territories border at kilometre 137.

The construction is beneficial as it will increase road strength for industrial traffic, allow for a smoother driving surface for all drivers, and ensure the safest roads possible. It will also create jobs to help support local families, as well as strengthen the province’s northeast economy.

Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm says “this is a welcome project in our region for both families and industry. Increasing driver safety while also ensuring we are getting the most out of our infrastructure investments makes this a worthwhile project.”

The project is being funded by the Oil & Gas Resource Roads program, which ensures roads impacted by heavy industry use are kept safe and reliable. The province has invested a total of $30 million to improve roads in the Peace Region this year.

The work is scheduled to begin this coming fall and be completed by the spring/summer of 2012.