For immediate release
Fort Nelson, British Columbia, March 19, 2009 – Jay Hill, Member of Parliament for Prince George – Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced the awarding of a multi-year maintenance contract for the British Columbia portion of the Alaska Highway from Summit Lake to the Yukon border.
"This contract demonstrates our commitment to ensure this important transportation corridor continues to be well maintained and remains safe for travellers," said Mr. Hill. "By investing in key infrastructure projects across the country, the government is making a positive contribution to our nation's economy."
North Country Maintenance Inc. of Vernon, B.C. submitted the lowest of six qualified bids in response to a public tender call. A total of 16 jobs will be maintained during the course of this four-year contract which is scheduled to commence June 1, 2009. The contract will include routine repairs to the highway paving and bridges, as well as mowing, snow removal, sanding and ice control.
Public Works and Government Services Canada is the custodian of 379 kms of the northern section of the Alaska Highway between Summit Lake, B.C. and Watson Lake, Yukon.
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For further information, please contact:
Mary-Ann Dewey-Plante
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Paradis
613-218-6961
Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315
PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.
The Alaska Highway was constructed in 1942, during World War II, by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The highway became the principal overland access route to northwestern Canada and the State of Alaska. On April 1, 1946, the asset was transferred from the United States to Canada with custody assigned to the Department of National Defence. In 1964, responsibility for the Alaska Highway was transferred from National Defence to Public Works and Government Services Canada.
Custodianship of the Alaska Highway has resided with PWGSC since the transfer from the Department of National Defence. The portion of the highway that runs through the Yukon Territory was transferred to the Yukon Territorial Government effective April 1, 1992. Responsibility for routine maintenance, repair and upgrading of the British Columbia portion of the highway (km 133 north of Fort St John to km 968 at the British Columbia/Yukon border) remains with the federal government.
PWGSC will continue to direct funding toward the reconstruction of the highway and the maintenance of the bridges in a manner that most effectively utilizes funds, supports ongoing maintenance requirements and maintains safety standards and sound environmental management practices.
