SURREY, B.C. – The federal government and Province of British Columbia are investing a combined $195 million to upgrade highway infrastructure in B.C.’s northwest to support critical mineral development in the region.
The funding will be through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund and the project has been conditionally approved to support the development and operation of several copper, molybdenum, zinc, nickel and cobalt projects in B.C.’s Golden Triangle region, a Natural Resources Canada release said.
The federal contribution is $75 million with the remaining $120 million funded by B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The project will involve improvements for Highways 37, 37A and 51, including widening shoulders, creating pullouts for slow-moving vehicles, adding chain up/chain off areas and increasing Wi-Fi access along 800 kilometres of roadway, the release said.
The Regional Energy and Resource Table – One-Year Progress Report was also released on July 15, which highlights progress made since the two levels of government began creating a collaboration framework in June 2023.