BY BOB ZIMMER
Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP
With the summer construction season quickly approaching, I know many of you are disappointed that replacing Taylor Bridge still doesn’t seem to be a priority for the BC NDP government or the Liberal government in Ottawa.
As we here in northeastern B.C. understand, this bridge is vital in connecting North Peace and South Peace for residents, businesses, and tourists travelling in the region. Millions of dollars in commercial goods and approximately 7,500 vehicles cross this bridge every day.
We also know that the bridge has fallen into grave disrepair and needs to be replaced. I continue to believe replacing it with a new four-lane bridge is the answer and will have a long-term positive impact on our economy and our communities.
I have written to the prime minister, Premier John Horgan, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Catherine McKenna, and BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming reiterating the importance of replacing this bridge to our region and strongly recommending that it be a priority project for infrastructure funding. I’ve also met with a Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure official to discuss the project’s potential to move forward.
I know many of you feel the same way I do. It is why I was pleased to see the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association launch a letter writing campaign late last year calling on the B.C. government get this project built.
It is great to have their support and I encourage you, if you have not already done so, to visit https://www.get2yes.ca/taylor-bridge and add your name to show those in Victoria and Ottawa just how important a four-lane Taylor Bridge is to our region.
I believe we must do everything we can to ensure the success of this project so that Northeastern BC can have a bridge that will improve road safety in our region now and into the future.