As part of B.C. on the Move, the Province’s new 10-year transportation plan, work has begun to improve the connection between Highway 19 and north Courtenay providing better access to key destinations in the region, announced Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Todd Stone.
Once completed, the new road will better connect Highway 19 with important services in the Comox Valley such as the new Comox Valley hospital, the Little River ferry terminal and the Comox airport.
Improvements will include approximately 700 metres of new two lane road running west from the intersection of Headquarters Road and Dove Creek Road to the intersection of Piercy Road and Dove Creek Road, where Piercy Road continues on to Highway 19. The project will also include a new, two-lane bridge across the Tsolum River.
The connector, says Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone, will provide a more efficient route for residents, tourists and commercial drivers heading to and from the ferry and airport and will be completed in time for the opening of the new hospital which is under construction.”
“Proper development of the Comox Valley’s northern connector is a win for all jurisdictions in the CVRD,” says Comox Valley Regional District chair Bruce Jolliffe. “In addition to providing a more direct route from the inland highway to the new hospital, airport and ferries, having a “back door” to east Courtenay and Comox business and services will take pressure off the busy southern route as well as divert traffic away from the Dyke Road and the sensitive Comox estuary. And, having a full size bridge again will be a benefit for farmers in the area who currently have challenges moving their bigger pieces of equipment across the Tsolum River.”
Engineering work has begun and includes survey work, geotechnical testing and detailed design, and this work is expected to be completed over the next year.
This project builds on a key component in B.C. on the Move to work with communities to improve access to and from provincial highways.
Further information about the BC on the Move plan, visit http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/
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