B.C.’s former Transportation Minister says plans by the government to four-lane the Trans Canada Highway through Chase come three years behind schedule with a reduced scope and an increase in price.
Todd Stone – the BC Liberal Kamloops South MLA – blames mismanagement by the NDP government, which he says has led to taxpayers getting less for more.
“The first phase was ready to go to tender in the summer of summer of 2017 and construction will begin hopefully this summer on the first phase,” Stone told NL News.
“The second phase wouldn’t be done until 2021 and who knows if they’ll ever get around to Phase Three because again, its not even included in the construction schedule that was put out.”
He notes the former BC Liberal Government had funding for the project secured in 2016, which was to see a 12 kilometre stretch of Highway 1 four-laned from Hoffman’s Bluff to Jade Mountain.
According to the government, the highway widening is now expected to include the stretch from Hoffman’s Bluff in the west to Chase Creek Bridge in the east, which Stone says is about 2 km less than the original plan.
The tender to four-lane a 3.3 km stretch from Chase Creek Road to Chase West was issued last Friday. Another phase will see work on a 1.6 km stretch between Chase West Road and the Chase Creek Bridge, while the third phase from Hoffman’s Bluff to Chase Creek Road, is not currently included in the construction schedule, according to the government.
“You’ve got a budget that’s gone from $199 million total up to $260 million, so a 30 per cent increase, and you are getting less four laning, you’re getting less access improvements and you’re getting protected T-intersections as opposed to full access interchanges, and you’re getting all of this three years later,” Stone said, noting the project shouldn’t have been put on hold in the first place.
Stone previously NL News that he was ‘absolutely convinced’ that the project will not be delivered on budget.
(Photo: Tran BC)