August 3, 2010
New Cable Barrier Means Fewer Hwy 99 Accidents

SURREY– Highway 99 commuters will enjoy a safer drive thanks to the installation of a new cable barrier system. Local contractor Jacob Bros. Construction Ltd. won the bid to begin work on Phase 3 of the project located between the Nicomekl Bridge and the 24th Street overpass.

“This stretch of highway has seen more accidents than most other areas on Highway 99, so through the new cable barrier system, we’re improving drivers’ safety and ensuring less mishaps,” says Surrey-Panorama MLA Stephanie Cadieux.

“As Surrey grows, so do the demands on its major transit corridors,” says Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Kevin Falcon. “This project is about safety, but it’s also about investment in our community and jobs for British Columbians."

The project includes the design, supply and installation of a Cable Barrier System in the Highway 99 median between the Serpentine Curve (Nicomekl Bridge) and the 24th Street overpass. Work is scheduled to begin in early August, with completion set for September 30, 2010, and will involve fast lane closures during construction, six days a week. All construction will be restricted to nights to lessen the impact to the traveling public.  Surrey’s Jacob Bros. Construction Ltd. won the Phase 3 contract bid at $624,253.

This work is the third phase of a project to install median barrier along the full corridor between Massey Tunnel and the border. The first phase of the work has already been completed, the second phase is in construction and the fourth phase will be tendered by the end of September. Total cost for this highway safety project is $2.5M and the provincial share is being funded under the ministry’s roadway rehabilitation program.

The federal contribution to this project comes from the $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure projects. Since March 2009, almost 400 projects have received a total federal investment of over $500 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund across British Columbia.

Since October 2008, over $5.3 billion has been committed for accelerated capital projects across British Columbia, which is estimated to generate more than 34,000 construction jobs over the life of the projects.

For the latest constituency news from the Surrey MLAs, visit Stephanie’s website www.stephaniecadieuxmla.bc.ca and Kevin’s website www.kevinfalconmla.bc.ca. Also, follow them on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MLACadieux and www.twitter.com/KevinFalcon.

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