Ministry of Transportation and Highwa y s

Annual Report 19 9 5 – 9 6 Ministry of Transportation and Highways 940 Blanshard Street Victoria, B.C. V8W 3E6 British Columbia Cataloguing in Publication Data: British Columbia. Ministry of Transportation and Hi g h w a y s . Annual report. -- 1985/86 Ð

An n u a l . Report year ends March 31. Continues: British Columbia. Ministry of Transportation and Highways. Report, ISSN 0706-1897 ISSN 1180-5315

1. British Columbia. Ministry of Transportation and Highways. 2. Transportation and state Ð British Columbia Ð Periodicals. 3. Roads Ð British Columbia Ð Periodicals.

HE 3 5 7 . Z 6 B 7 4 35 4 . 7 1 1 0 6 8 7 ’ 5 Lieutenant Governor of the Province of British Columbia

May It Please Your Honour:

I am pleased to submit the Annual Report of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways for the period of April 1, 1995 to March 31, 1996.

Honourable Lois Boone Minister of Transportation and Highways

i To the Honourable Lois Boone Minister of Transportation and Highways Parliament Buildings Victoria B.C.

We have the honour to submit the Annual Report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996. Respectfully submitted,

Blair Redlin, Deputy Minister

Claire Dansereau, Associate Deputy Minister

Dan Doyle, Assistant Deputy Minister Highways Operations

Har Singh, Assistant Deputy Minister Management Services

John Dyble, Assistant Deputy Minister Planning and Major Projects

Claire Eraut, Assistant Deputy Minister Superintendent, Motor Vehicle Branch

ii 1995/96 Highlights ...... 2 Mission, vision, values, principles and strategy ...... 4 Objectives ...... 5 Ministry Profile ...... 6 Legislative Acts ...... 7 Ministry Reorganization ...... 8 Ministry Regions ...... 9 Organization Chart ...... 10 Improving Efficiency Administrative Efficiencies ...... 11 Meeting Government Priorities ...... 11 Core Business Efficiencies ...... 13 Protecting the Existing Highway System Maintenance ...... 16 Rehabilitation ...... 17 Highway Projects ...... 20 Preparing for the Future Planning Services ...... 23 Surveys and Studies ...... 24 Working with First Nations ...... 25 Capital Projects ...... 26 Protecting the Environment ...... 30 Working with the Community Public Consultation ...... 33 Community Support ...... 36 Maintaining Driving Standards and Reducing Vehicle Emissions Driver Licensing ...... 37 Traffic Safety ...... 40 AirCare Program ...... 42 Setting a Course for 1996/97 ...... 45 Financial Reports ...... 47 Appendices ...... 60

1 April · The minister releases a report on the effectiveness of the AirCare program that shows the program has been a significant contributor to cleaner air in the Lower Mainland. · Mary Hill Bypass construction begins. May · The minister implements recommendations of the Tripartite Committee to improve the cost-effectiveness of privatized highway maintenance. · Ed Price is named new chair of the BC Railway Group of Companies. · The minister tables legislation for traffic safety initiatives, including photo radar, vehicle impoundment, administrative driving prohibition and a program for new drivers. · A decision is announced that Craig’s Crossing on the new Vancouver Island Highway will be an interchange rather than an intersection as originally planned. June · Little Qualicum Bridge on the Vancouver Island Highway’s Inland Island Highway is opened. · Construction starts on the Campbell River Bypass, the first Vancouver Island Highway Project to be awarded in Campbell River. · The premier visits Holland Creek Bridge in South Ladysmith during a tour of the Vancouver Island Highway Project and reports to media on project achievements to date. · The minister opens a new intersection at Highway 3 and Highway 97 in Osoyoos. · The minister introduces a mandatory helmet law to come into effect in September 1996. · The minister announces a review of the B.C. Motor Carrier Act. · A contract is awarded for major repairs to the Oak Street Bridge in Vancouver. July · The minister announces a study to examine options for dealing with increased ferry traffic on Kootenay Lake. · Construction of a new interchange at Westview Drive in North Vancouver begins. · An enhanced CounterAttack program gets under way in 10 municipalities in Greater Vancouver and Greater Victoria. August · Tough new measures to collect outstanding traffic fines reduce the monthly increase in default payments from $2.4 million to $400,000 in six months. · The minister announces mandatory mechanical inspections for most used vehicles brought into the province to help combat vehicle fraud and ensure vehicles meet safety standards. · Construction begins on the Johnson-Mariner Way Connector to improve traffic flow in the northeast sector of the Lower Mainland. September · Mayor Allan Collett bridge is dedicated in Merritt. · The first grants are issued under the provincial Cycling Network Program, a grant program of the BC Transportation Financing Authority for which the ministry provides administrative support. Eight local governments around the province are assisted with half the costs of developing cycling infrastructures. · Construction of a new highway to Duke Point ferry terminal gets under way. • Premier Harcourt releases Going Places, B.C.’s first integrated multi-modal transportation strategy.

2 October · Regional districts are given the option to take over responsibility for approving rural subdivisions. · The minister releases a report that analyzes speed-related crashes in B.C. The report shows speed has consistently been the most commonly reported factor in fatal crashes. · A North Vancouver firm is awarded an $18.9-million contract to start construction of the Annacis Channel West Bridge, part of a major project to improve Fraser River Crossings. · Thom Thompson is appointed president and chief executive officer of the Insurance Corporation of B.C., succeeding Bill McCourt. November · The minister and the minister of employment and investment open the Stocking Creek to Transfer Beach section of the Vancouver Island Highway Project, the first section completed after the October 1993 announcement of the $1.2-billion project. · Local MLAs unveil a large scale model of the Victoria Approaches section of the Vancouver Island Highway Project. · The provincial government signs a five-year contract with IBM Canada Ltd. to replace the Motor Vehicle Branch’s aging photo-ID licensing system with a digital system that electronically stores the image of the driver’s photograph and signature. · Police establish province-wide standards for deploying photo radar cameras. · Fines are increased for driving schools and instructors who engage in misleading advertisement or who operate without proper licences. · A six-month pilot project to allow the transportation of five-metre-wide manufactured homes on provincial highways in the Dawson Creek area is deemed a success. December · The minister turns over the first speed camera and van to police at the Integrated Traffic Camera Unit in Richmond, officially starting the photo radar program. · A new counterflow scheduling system is put in at Massey Tunnel to improve traffic flow. · Fourteen Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria municipalities receive grants under the provincial Cycling Network Program, a grant program of the BC Transportation Financing Authority for which the ministry provides administrative support. Februar y · Construction starts on a $1.1-million overpass for cyclists and pedestrians at Regina Avenue and Trans-Canada Highway in Victoria, part of the Vancouver Island Highway Project. · The minister announces changes to the cycling laws to be more consistent with 1990s lifestyles and needs. The changes recognize cycling as a viable transportation option. March · The premier announces restructuring of the ministry and merging of the Motor Vehicle Branch and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. · Starting March 4, police begin sending warning letters with photos to drivers caught speeding by photo radar. · Two studies conclude linking Prince Rupert to Digby Island and Tsimpsean Peninsula by road and bridges is feasible but would cost $108 million. Summary of Work Conducted in 1995/96 Kilometres of roads paved 1,699.6 Number of bridges rehabilitated 29 Number of new bridges built 48 Kilometres of new roads built 783

3 … the mission The ministry’s mission is to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods, and to realize government objectives by planning, delivering and operating British Columbia’s highway infrastructure, and by licensing and regulating users of the highways.

… the vision The ministry’s vision is to provide an efficient and effective highway system that contributes to B.C.’s social and economic development.

… the values The ministry’s values are trust and respect encouraged through open and honest communications, and professionalism and excellence through organizational and personal development. Continuous improvement, value for money, quality and innovation are all necessary for success.

… the principles The ministry encourages teamwork to deliver products and services. Management principles stress quality and affordability to maximize the benefits derived from highways investments, and to utilize environmentally sound business practices. The principles foster partnerships and dialogue with the public and stakeholders.

… the strategy The strategy is to protect and manage core services, respond to government direction, develop staff, focus on customers, improve highways transportation planning and implement new major initiatives.

4 Co r e Business

Im p r oving Ef fi c i e n c y To increase the ministry’s accountability to the public and to explore, develop and put into effect new ideas to improve its efficiency and effectiveness of operations.

Pr otecting the Highway System To protect the investment in the provincial highway system through a commitment to effective maintenance and a timely program of rehabilitation.

Pr eparing for the Future To plan a safe and effective provincial transportation network, coordinate provincial transportation policy direction and legislation with other agencies and levels of government and enhance the provincial highway network in order to facilitate economic and social development of the province and every region.

Working with the Community To communicate with the public and be responsive to community needs, protect the environment in the delivery of all services and support communities in the development of their transportation networks.

Maintaining Driver Standar ds To ensure the fitness and ability of applicants to operate motor vehicles safely and reduce the frequency and severity of motor vehicle accidents, thereby reducing loss of life, injuries, health-care costs and insurance payouts.

Reducing Vehicle Emissions To work with the ministry of environment and the Greater Vancouver regional district to ensure AirCare is an effective emissions inspection program.

5 The Ministry of Transportation and Highways plans, builds and maintains the provincial highway system and regulates users of the system. It has four departments: Administration, Operations, Planning and Major Projects and Motor Vehicle Branch, each headed by an The Ministry of assistant deputy minister who reports to the deputy minister or associate deputy minister. At March 31, 1996, the ministry had 3,290 Transportation and Highways regular employees, including 726 at the Motor Vehicle Branch. Auxiliary plans, builds and maintains staff numbered 176 at highways and 44 at MVB. As well there were the provincial highway system three coop students. The ministry had 3,696 authorized full-time and regulates users of the equivalent positions. Headquarters is in Victoria. system. Highways operations are performed through six regional offices located in Burnaby, Kamloops, Nelson, Prince George, Terrace and Nanaimo. There are 26 district offices and numerous field offices. The Motor Vehicle Branch has regional offices in Burnaby, Nanaimo, Kelowna and Prince George and a network of weigh scales and Drivers Services Centres around the province. It is responsible for 12 AirCare emission testing stations in the Lower Mainland. During 1995/96 the ministry provided input in the preparation of Going Places, a multi-modal, integrated provincial transportation plan developed by the BC Transportation Financing Authority. The Motor Carrier Commission and Reconsideration Panel, B.C. Rail Ltd. and the Insurance Corporation of B.C. all report to the minister of transportation and highways. At March 31, 1996, the highways system comprised: · Almost 84,000 lane/km of roads (41,500 km), consisting of 35,000 lane/km paved, 34,600 lane/km gravel, 7,500 lane/km treated, 4,700 lane/km cold mix, and 1,800 lane/km dirt; · 2,539 bridges, 64 tunnels and snowsheds, and 64 pedestrian structures; · 17 inland-ferry routes, supported by a fleet of seven certified vessels, four cable ferries, six reaction ferries, four aerial tramways for winter use, and a number of tugboats and barges; · 164 maintenance yards, nine privately owned and the rest owned and managed by BC Building Corporation and used by independent contractors as part of their maintenance agreements with the ministry; · About 3,500 properties and prospects managed under the ministry’s gravel management program, which in March was transferred to the regions.

6 The Motor Vehicle Branch: · Sets driver standards, licenses drivers, motor carriers, vehicle inspection facilities, driver training schools and instructors, administers vehicle enforcement and compliance programs, levies and collects fees, fines and other taxes, supports the Motor Carrier Commission to regulate and license commercial carriers, and administers the vehicle emissions control program, AirCare. Reports on BC Rail, ICBC, Motor Carrier Commission and Reconsideration Panel are in the appendices.

The Legislative Mandate As of March 31, 1996, the ministry was responsible for ensuring compliance with the following acts: · Ministry of Transportation and Highways Act (excluding sections 59 and 61-67), which creates the ministry and sets out its mandate; · Highway Act, which deals with the establishment, maintenance and alteration and regulation of public highways in the province, including bridges and tunnels; · Motor Vehicle Act, which governs driver’s licensing and standards, motor vehicle offences and enforcement, and sets out regulatory signs; · British Columbia Railway Act, which enabled the creation of BC Rail, establishing a board of directors and setting out institu- tional and reporting relationships with the provincial government; · Commercial Transport Act, which establishes legislation and licensing provisions for commercial vehicles, as well as commercial vehicle configuration and safety standards; · Coquihalla Highway Construction Acceleration Act, which enabled the government to borrow money to build the highway, and allows for the collection of tolls; · Ferry Act, which permits the ministry to provide for an inland ferry service either directly or through contractors; · Highway (Industrial) Act, which, in combination with other acts, governs the operation of vehicles on private resource roads; · Highway Scenic Improvement Act, which allows the ministry to impose regulations requiring the removal of unsightly accumulations on property adjacent to highways or sections of highways designated as scenic routes; · Insurance Corporation Act , which enabled the creation of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, establishing a board

7 of directors and setting out the reporting and institutional relationships with the provincial government. · Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act, which sets out how motor vehicle insurance is administered by ICBC, kinds of coverage, fleet plans, liability provisions, and conditions for motor vehicle insurance for the province; · Motor Carrier Act, which established the Motor Carrier Commission and Reconsideration Panel, setting out licensing provisions and tariff requirements for motor carriers; · Railway Act (various sections), which deals with corporate and institutional matters for railways operating solely within the By streamlining operations, province; the ministry will eliminate · Riverbank Protection Act, which enables the Lieutenant Governor in Council to take appropriate measures to prevent the redundancies and waste, and encroachment of a river on its banks; by stressing quality will ensure · Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act , which sets out value for tax dollar spending. regulations and standards for the movement by trucks of dangerous goods within the province.

Re o rg a n i z a t i o n Under a restructuring plan announced by Premier Glen Clark on March 4, 1996, the Motor Vehicle Branch will be merged with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. Headquarters highways operations are also being downsized and some programs transferred to the regions. The plan envisages the reduction of 360 staff positions – 300 at highways and 60 at MVB – for an annualized savings of $42 million. The restructuring focuses on ways to achieve efficiencies and make programs more cost-effective. By streamlining operations, the ministry will eliminate redundancies and waste, and by stressing quality will ensure value for tax dollar spending. The aim is to put more dollars on the road rather than in administration and to protect core services.

8 Transportation Regions 1. South Coast 2. Thompson-Okanagan 3. Kootenays 4. Central/North East 5. North West 6. Vancouver Island

Motor Vehicle Branch Regions 1. Vancouver Island (including Powell River) 2. Lower Mainland 3. Interior 4. Northern B.C.

9 10 Ministry of Transportation and Highways

Organizational Chart, March 31, 1996

MINISTER

MOTOR CARRIER BC TRANSPORTATION COLUMBIA POWER COLUMBIA BASIN B.C. RAIL COMMISSION FINANCING AUTHORITY DEPUTY MINISTER CORPORATION TRUST

ADM ADM DIRECTOR ADM SUPERINTENDENT PLANNING AND HIGHWAYS STRATEGIC ADMINISTRATIVE MOTOR VEHICLE MAJOR PROJECTS OPERATIONS PLANNING SERVICES BRANCH

DIRECTOR REGIONAL REGIONAL REGIONAL REGIONAL REGIONAL REGIONAL MANAGER INTERNAL AUDIT DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR FINANCE & DIRECTOR CONST. & SOUTH THOMPSON- DIRECTOR CENTRAL/ DIRECTOR FINANCE & HIGHWAY NORTH WEST VANCOUVER ADMIN ADMIN OPERATIONS PLANNING & MNTNC. COAST OKANAGAN KOOTENAYS NORTH EAST ISLAND POLICY

DIRECTOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHIEF EXECUTIVE HIGHWAY DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR ENGINEER HUMAN POLICY & PROG PROPERTIES ENGINEERING RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

REGIONAL REGIONAL REGIONAL REGIONAL REGIONAL DISTRICT MANAGER MANAGER REGIONAL MANAGER MANAGER STRATEGIC MANAGER REHAB & MANAGER HIGHWAYS TRAFFIC PROFESSNL. FINANCE & MANAGERS OPERATIONS PLANNING PLANNING MNTNC. DIRECTOR SERVICES SERVICES ADMIN (26) DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR MARINE INFORMATION INFORMATION MAJOR SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS (2) BURNABY BURNABY KAMLOOPS BURNABY KAMLOOPS BURNABY AREA MGRS NANAIMO KAMLOOPS NELSON KAMLOOPS NELSON PR. GEORGE NELSON DIRECTOR P GEO+PLNG TERRACE PR. GEORGE DIRECTOR ABORIGINAL TERR +PLNG NANAIMO TERRACE DIRECTOR MANAGER RELATIONS MANAGEMENT FINANCE & NANAIMO NANAIMO FREEDOM OF SERVICES ADMIN INFORMATION

DIRECTOR DIRECTOR PLANNING & PROGRAM CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT & MONITORING

DIRECTOR Note: The Insurance Corporation of BC was assigned to the Minister of Finance and QUALITY MANAGEMENT Corporate Relations on February 28, 1996. The B.C. Transportation Financing Authority, the Columbia Basin Trust and the Columbia Power Corporation were assigned to the Minister of Transportation and Highways on the same date. ■✔ The ministry strives to increase its accountability to the public and to explore, develop and put into effect new ideas to im p r ove its efficiency and effe c t i v e n e s s .

Administrative Ef fi c i e n c i e s All regions and branches are required to complete Annual Performance Agreements , which set out objectives and criteria for achievement. This helps the ministry ensure administration and operations are conducted as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. The ministry continued to develop a Strategic Management Framework , addressing such issues as long-term provincial transportation strategy, fiscal responsibility, environmental concerns, free trade and enhanced international competition, traffic safety, private/public partnerships, accountability and information access. The ministry was an active participant in the interministerial Accountability and Performance Management Advisory Committee , which seeks to improve the measurement of accountability and performance – and thus effectiveness and efficiency – for all provincial The ministry works with other ministries and Crown corporations. agencies and ministries in the During 1995/96, the ministry processed 2,567 new claims by and development of a multi- against the ministry. Of these, 67 were in litigation. Almost $34 million modal, fully integrated in claims were made against the ministry, with 52 per cent funded by transportation system … various insurers, 46 per cent by government and 2 per cent by other parties. Half related to bridge and road maintenance. The ministry claimed $2.3 million worth of damages to government property during the year; 68 per cent was recovered from liable parties and/or their insurers.

Meeting Government Priorities and Co - o r dinating Responsible Provincial Tra n s p o r tation Policy Direction and Legislation The ministry works with other agencies and ministries in the development of a multi-modal, fully integrated transportation system that serves the needs of a rapidly growing population and enhances the province’s competitiveness in the global marketplace. These agencies include BCTFA, BC Transit, BC Ferries and ICBC, as well as the ministry of employment and investment and ministry of finance and corporate relations.

11 The ministry is guided by government priorities. Foremost is the requirement to reduce the size and cost of government so that vital The ministry is guided by health care and education programs may be protected and the goals government priorities. of the province’s Debt Management Plan met. Foremost is the requirement The ministry received 440 requests for access to records under the to reduce the size and cost of Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act , 20 per cent more than the year before. The majority were about subdivisions, government … property acquisition, contracts and personnel matters. The ministry also handled requests for Motor Vehicle Branch records, including driving records and motor carrier reports, and requests from First Nations on road issues. During 1995/96, the ministry entered into 45 commissions with engineering consulting forms under the Registration, Identification, Selections and Performance (RISP) system, which assures commissions are distributed fairly to qualified firms and individuals. The value of the contracts was $6,585,841. The ministry revised and updated the Minor Works Construction Agreement to make it more easily understood by contractors, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the tender process and making distribution of the work more fair around the province. During 1995/96, the unit produced and distributed three engineering publications on ministry standards, processes and guidelines. They were: Interim Guidelines on Geometric Improvements for Rehabilitation Works on Existing Highway, General Survey Requirements for Highway Design and Construction, and Standards and Construction Specifi- cations for New Subdivision Roads in Unincorporated Areas. The Marine Branch continued to pursue a policy of “Open Routes,” primarily aimed at the transportation of dangerous goods. It sought an order from Transport Canada to apply to inland ferries the same standards currently employed for land transport. The ministry undertook a study on cyclists using freeway-standard highways. The study, completed by an American transportation authority, Alex Sorten, looked into whether cyclists could be accommodated on such highways, with special reference made to the Victoria Western Approaches of the Trans-Canada Highway being constructed under the Vancouver Island Highway Project. During 1995/96, policy branch staff represented the ministry on the B.C. Airport Transfer Team to assist communities with airports slated for

12 devolution or privatization by the federal government. Staff participated in business case studies on the financial viability of airport privatization.

Co r e Business Ef fi c i e n c i e s During the year the ministry conducted comprehensive design audits of four major regional projects as well as 25 “as-built” drawings, in keeping with its commitment to ensure value for highways spending. The ministry requires all The ministry produced almost 30,000 signs at its sign shop in contractors who build, Kamloops during 1995/96. These included standard regulatory and improve, paint, repair or warning signs as well and 400 large aluminum panels for major projects demolish highway bridges to on the Island and in the Lower Mainland. They brought the total number of roadside signs in the province to 236,982. The ministry also be prequalified by having an operated 68 changeable message signs, controlled remotely in the acceptable safety record and regions or at the Burnaby centre. a safety program … The ministry requires all contractors who build, improve, paint, repair or demolish highway bridges to be prequalified by having an acceptable safety record and a safety program approved by the Construction and Maintenance Branch. Currently, 145 contractors have met the criteria for the prequalification program . They are subject to annual reviews and must submit their past year’s safety records along with renewal applications. The program ensures the safety of workers and the travelling public. The ministry and the BC Transportation Financing Authority applied the design-build delivery mechanism on two projects in the Lower mainland – Johnson-Mariner Connector and Westview Interchange. The method enables the contractor to take on both design and construction functions of a project, leading to speedier construction, lower costs and greater innovativeness, and reduced risk for the government. It is proving a cost-effective way to deliver major project requirements. In partnership with University of British Columbia, the ministry completed two research projects to develop design standards and rehabilitation strategies for bridges, culverts and retaining walls. They included one on the durability of buried galvanized steel structures and another on standard steel anchorages. Another project initiated under the professional partnership program with University of British Columbia developed a procedure for warranting and designing runaway lanes. The project continued earlier work in which truck runaway facilities were tested and an educational video and brochure produced. An evaluation was completed of

13 promising new technology to prevent commercial roll-over and runaway accidents. Test sites were identified preparatory to installing a truck warning system in 1996/97. The replacement of standard printers with laser printers was effective in speeding up the process of traffic through the Coquihalla Toll Station. The production of receipts was about one-third faster than with the old method. While passenger traffic has remained fairly stable, commercial traffic through the station has risen 11 per cent over the past two years, and many carriers are using the BC Ferry Corporation’s Commercial Travel Card to pay for tolls. More than 21 million vehicles have passed through the station since it opened on May 16, 1986. Revenues have topped $260 million. A seven-year research project using Tall Oil Pitch in asphalt paving was completed, and a paper on its findings was presented at the annual conference of the Transportation Association of Canada in Victoria in October 1995. The technology, developed in partnership with private industry, is now used by paving contractors around the province. It helps extend the life of asphalt, thereby reducing maintenance costs. A new technique was Work continued on finding replacements for asphalt cutbacks developed to identify containing organic solvents. Field tests on emulsified asphalt products accident-prone locations were carried out in conjunction with B.C. road builders and based on road-related environment officials. It is hoped that by 1997, new products will be available to allow complete removal of organic solvents. problems … The ministry took steps to improve radio communications and extend mobile radio coverage by adding one new mountain-top repeater station and by moving five others. About one-third of the ministry’s mountain- top repeater control equipment was upgraded. Two digital video systems were designed, developed and installed – one on 99 near Whistler and the other on the Coquihalla at the Zopkios Rest Area – to provide road condition updates for television reports and the Internet. A prototype system to enhance traffic along signalized corridors was developed. Called an “intelligent dynamic traffic control system,” it uses existing traffic signal controllers augmented by expert system technology. The system will be field-tested in the 1996/97 fiscal year. A new technique was developed to identify accident-prone locations based on road-related problems, thereby allowing the ministry to focus on problems that can be rectified simply by improving the roadway. In addition, a high-tech system that diagnoses problem intersections

14 on the provincial highway network was developed and tested. The system will help road safety experts work on the problems more efficiently and cost-effectively. Rumble strips, or grooves just outside the white shoulder line, were installed for the first time for a stretch of Highway 5 in the Avola area and were later incorporated in a paving project in Clearwater. The strips are designed to prevent motorists from falling asleep at the wheel.

15 ■✔ The ministry works hard to protect the multi-billion-dollar investment in the provincial highway system through a co m p r ehensive maintenance program and a prioritized pr ogram of rehabilitation that enhances safety and ef ficiency of travel

Maintenance Pr og r a m During the year, the ministry spent $378,752,251 on maintenance programs, including $295,315,282 for road and bridge contractors in the 28 contract areas around the province, and $45,471,647 for operations in the 26 districts. In addition, $15.0 million went to ferry maintenance, $13 million to headquarters and $10.4 million to regional operations. The budget covered bridge maintenance activities, electrical and regional maintenance activities as well. Recommendations of the Tripartite Committee, which reviewed the road and bridge maintenance program, continued to be implemented. These included: • Extending the contract terms to five years • Establishing a standing tripartite committee to review maintenance standards, and • Specifying more qualified work in the contract. … the ministry worked closely All 28 maintenance contracts were up for renewal in the fourth round with the BCGEU and the BC of contracts to be let since privatization in 1988. Eight were finalized in 1995 and the rest during 1996. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association to Using the committee’s report as its basis, the ministry worked closely with the BCGEU and the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction make contracts more effective. Association to make contracts more effective. The most significant changes in the fourth round of contracts were: • Revised maintenance standards, clarifying required contract expectations; • Five-year terms for most service areas; in two areas, terms were for 4.5 years; • Revised quality management process to enhance monitoring of contractor performance; • Clearer and simpler contract language; • Defined process for adjusting the annual contract price; • Development of a preventative maintenance program.

16 A publication was to be released in the fall of 1996 outlining successful contractors for each area, together with negotiated prices, terms of contract and previous incumbents. The ministry is always looking for ways to make maintenance more efficient. An example is a multi-year plan developed to hardsurface gravel roads in the North Peace District, where gravel is in short supply. Included are a pavement management plan and a proposal to reclassify roads to reduce the cost of maintenance contracts.

Rehabilitation Pr og r a m The rehabilitation program provides for the restoration and The ministry is always looking improvement of the highways infrastructure to ensure that capital investments are protected, maintenance costs are optimized and road for ways to make safety enhanced. It includes road resurfacing and upgrading, bridge maintenance more efficient. rehabilitation and seismic upgrading, safety improvements, marine upgrading, electrical upgrading and rest area development and rock- slope stabilization. The Rehabilitation Section at the Construction and Maintenance Branch works with the regions and districts to assess the condition of infrastructure for a three-year rehabilitation plan. All bridges are inspected annually, primary roads every two years and secondary roads every three years. During 1995/96, the ministry spent $111,354,607 on about 560 rehabilitation projects province-wide. Pavement During the year, the ministry repaved or resurfaced 423.68 km and used hot-in-place recycling on 513.96 km. An additional 761.96 km were sealcoated. The ministry’s Pavement Management System helps optimize rehabilitation spending by: • Monitoring pavement conditions, • Developing multi-year resurfacing programs, • Assessing maintenance requirements, and • Performing initial project-level pavement designs. Computer programming for the system was completed and extensive testing of the software was carried out at headquarters and in the regions. A start was made on a database on highway conditions. Surveys were conducted on 10,000 km of primary highways. Similar work on 4,500 km of secondary highways was expected to be completed in 1996. Bridges Under the Bridge Management System, the ministry redecks, paints, repairs sidewalks and bridge abutments, replaces railings and

17 retrofits bridges to make them less vulnerable to earthquake damage. Projects are prioritized. Thirty-seven bridges were rehabilitated during the year. They included: • Seismic retrofit of twin bridges over Colquitz River in Saanich to prevent collapse during an earthquake; • Replacement of a single-lane log stringer bridge across York Creek near Campbell River with a permanent concrete two-lane structure; • Replacement of a log-stringer bridge in the Holberg area with a permanent concrete stringer structure; • Installation of a sidewalk and railing on the downstream side of the single-lane Gold River Upper Bridge to address needs of pedestrians from the new Mowachaht village; • Construction of the Mayor Allan Collett Bridge in Merritt; and • Completion of widening the Whipsaw Creek Bridge and approaches on Highway 3 east of Manning Park. A total of 131 bridges were inspected, including nine bridges in the South Coast, 19 in the Thompson-Okanagan, 22 in the Kootenays, 40 in the Central-Northeast, 26 in the Northwest and 15 on Vancouver Island. Bridge coatings were inspected on all bridges in Region 1 and Region 5. Those on bridges in Region 2 and Region 3 were to be done in 1996/97, and those on bridges in the remaining two regions in the following year. Under the Bridge Coating Rating Program, started in 1995, all bridges in the province are inspected every three years. The provincial bridge coating inspection team is based in Region 1. … automated roadside Quality assurance is carried out by the South Coast Geotechnical weather stations … will help Laboratory located in Region 1. contractors better monitor Nine bridges were resurfaced under the Bridge Resurfacing Program. road and weather conditions They included Charles Creek, Lake City, Westport Road, Montizambert and act more promptly to Creek and Anderson all in the South Coast, McPhee and Yoho in the Kootenays and Dudley Little Main and Dudley Little West in the changing conditions. Northwest region. Total expenditures came to just over $2 million. Snow Avalanche Program Work continued on the development of au- tomated roadside weather stations in partnership with maintenance con- tractors. It has been proposed the contractor purchase and install the stations, with the ministry providing the equipment needed to analyze the data and electronic components for the stations. The information will help contractors better monitor road and weather conditions and act more promptly to changing conditions. A more cost-effective, electronic

18 weather station was installed on Highway 31 in the Nelson-Kaslo area. The station provides more timely weather data and road condition infor- mation to improve both road maintenance response and avalanche fore- casting. An avalanche safety program was developed in participation with the Township of Stewart; another was initiated in the Kicking Horse Pass of Trans-Canada Highway. There were 59 avalanche areas and 1,600 avalanche paths affecting the provincial highway system. Rockslope Stabilization Geotechnical and Materials Engineering conducted 24 rockslope stabilization projects to prevent rocks from sliding onto the traveled portion of provincial highways. Nearly 6,000 cubic metres of rock were trimmed and 3,900 square metres of protective mesh installed. In addition, 1,700 lineal metres of rock bolts were installed as well as 350 lineal metres of strand anchors. Winter Abrasives Study Research that began in 1992 in cooperation with ICBC on the relationship between winter abrasives used by maintenance contractors and windshield damage claims continued in 1995/96. Pilot studies were carried out in the North Cariboo district, The Centreline Marking Group where a smaller winter abrasive was tested, and in the Bulkley-Nass district, where smaller-sized crushed abrasives were tested. At the same line painted more than time, the ministry studied traction and skid resistance characteristics of 28,000 km in 1995/96. various winter abrasive sizes, and also looked into the mechanics of windshield damage by flying rocks. Mitigation strategies failed to show a change in abrasive would necessarily reduce insurance claims. The study recommended that maintenance contractors continue using abrasives to improve vehicle traction and friction in winter conditions, and that the ministry continue its quality assurance program to ensure proper standards are met. Centreline Marking The Centreline Marking Group line painted more than 28,000 km in 1995/96. These included 4,208 km in the South Coast, 8,004 km in the Thompson-Okanagan, 5,405 km in the Kootenays, 5,568 km in the Central-Northeast, 2,385 km in the Northwest and 3,114 on Vancouver Island. In addition, 360 km of lines received thermoplastic paint treatment. This included an installation in the Tete Jeune intersection where the constant wearing away of the centreline by vehicle traffic had given rise to a problem of vehicles crossing over into the wrong lane. Guardrail Program The ministry spent $1.65 million on about 90 projects in the Guardrail Program, identifying and prioritizing

19 locations requiring concrete roadside barriers. A safety audit was completed on one regional guardrail placement.

Highway Pr oj e c t s Highway 1 A 19-kilometre section from Nickomen Creek to Spences Bridge was resurfaced, while a 30-kilometre section from Sicamous to Eagle River was sealcoated. Highway 3 Three-lane improvements west of Grand Forks were paved, part of an on-going program to improve safety and traffic flow along this section in response to growing traffic volumes. A 20- kilometre section between Lumberton and Irishman Creek was repaved using hot-in-place recycling technology, at a cost of $670,000. A 30- kilometre section from Elko Overhead to Fernie was also resurfaced. Guardrail flares were added and about 10 km of other roads in the area were surfaced, at a total project cost of $3 million. In the Thompson- Okanagan Region, 37 km from Manning Park to Whipsaw Creek were resurfaced and 32 km from Princeton to Stirling Creek were sealcoated. Highway 4 A bridge was constructed at Taylor Flats, the costs shared with the federal government under the Strategic Highways Improvement Program. Highway approaches to the bridge were widened and resurfaced, and improvements made to the accesses to the Taylor River Rest Area as well as to a portion of Hector Road near Port Alberni. Almost 4 km of Lakeshore Road adjacent to Sproat Lake were rehabilitated. Some sections of the old pavement dated back to the late 1960s. Highway 5 The electrical system in the Great Bear Snowshed was upgraded. Highway 5A A total of 7.3 km of the highway between Princeton and Aspen Grove was resurfaced. Highway 14 A portion of the highway west of Jordan River was repaved by hot-in-place recycling, the project partially funded under the federal government’s Strategic Highways Improvement Program. The project also included resurfacing sections of the Old Cowichan Lake Road adjacent to Highway 18 and portions of Highway 1A/Mt. Sicker Road and Crofton Road. Reconstruction of the 167-metre Harris Cove Bridge at Port Renfrew, partially washed away during high tide and heavy rainfalls in December 1994 was completed in June 1995. The job involved installing a two-span, 77-metre-long steel section.

20 Highway 16 Sealcoating was completed on about 26 km between Tintagel and Priestly Hill, while the section from Rose lake to Decker Lake – a distance of 17.7 km – was resurfaced to improve ride and safety. Wildlife reflectors were installed along two km of Highway 16 in Robson Park, a high-accident area involving vehicles and wildlife. Highway 19 About 14 km of the highway south of Black Creek and some local roads in the Courtney area were resurfaced using hot-in- place recycling technology. In two sections, shoulders were also paved during the recycling process. It was the first time this had been done on the Island, with very successful results. A section of the highway between Northfield Road and Dorman Road in Nanaimo was chosen for the first application on the provincial highway system of a special type of open-graded pavement that reduces travel noise and improves drainage and traction. The paving project will be extended to Jingle Pot Road in 1996. Traffic signals in the highway corridor through Nanaimo were adjusted to improve traffic flow and reduce delays at intersections. Highway 27 Guardrails were installed for a dangerous curve on this A section of the highway … highway north of Vanderhoof. The project was funded under the was chosen for the first Central/North East Region’s safety program. application on the provincial Highway 31 The 15-kilometre section from Kaslo to Schroeder Creek highway system of a special was strengthened and resurfaced. Guardrail flares were added, bringing the total project cost to $1.68 million. type of open-graded Highway 37 Construction was completed on a hazardous, narrow pavement that reduces travel 9.8-kilometre section of the highway between Meziadin and Bell #1 noise and improves drainage bringing it to a two-lane rural standard with a 90 km/h speed limit and and traction. improved vertical and horizontal alignments. Sections of the Telegraph Creek Road that leads off the highway were realigned to improve safety. Highway 97 Nearly eight km of Penticton Parkway were resurfaced as well as 13 intersections between Glenrosa Road and Old Vernon Road. Signal controllers were upgraded in Kelowna to improve traffic flow along Harvey Avenue. Highway 99 Highway reconstruction was completed at the Fountain Valley slide near Lillooet. A system was installed to optimize the flow of traffic through the George Massey Tunnel. The system counts vehicle demand at each tunnel approach and recommends counterflow times to minimize overall delays for motorists. Nisga’a Highway Construction of a new bridge over the Nass River at Gitwinksihlkw was completed along with associated road works.

21 The single-lane, 172-metre bridge replaces a foot bridge that had previously been the only access to the village, also known as Canyon City. Atlin Highway Just over seven km of this highway that leads south from the Yukon to Atlin Lake were realigned and another seven km were regraveled. In addition, 29 km of the highway and 8.7 km of streets in the village of Atlin were sealcoated. Beatton Crossing Project Two contracts were awarded for completion of this $29-million project, which has opened a new route between Fort St. John and the Alberta border, a distance of about 12 km. The project started in 1989 with the construction of six bridges, then fell dormant until work resumed in 1994/95 with the construction of three km of road. Grading for the remaining nine km was completed in 1995/96 and substantial progress was made paving and placing gravel. The project is scheduled for completion in 1996/97.

22 ■✔ A major function of the ministry is to plan a safe and effe c t i v e pr ovincial highway network in consultation with the public and other transportation agencies.

Provincial Highway Plan In the spirit of Going Places, the provincial draft transportation strategy, the ministry continued to develop a Provincial Highway Plan, covering a number of issues, including environmental concerns, traffic congestion, community development and corridor planning. The plan will help integrate corridor and regional transportation system plans so decisions on investments can take into account what is best for the province as a whole. During the year, a transportation system plan for Greater Vancouver neared completion and another began for the Okanagan Valley. Corridor management plans were also started for a section of Highway 97 between Cache Creek and MacKenzie and a section of Highway 1 between Kam- loops and the Alberta border. As well, corridor management studies were started on Highway 4 and Highway 14 on Vancouver Island, and func- tional classifications completed for all Island rural highways. The ministry has identified nine major highway corridors in the province, and the long-term goal is to develop plans for each to be incorporated into the broader Provincial Highway Plan. Traffic Management Master Plan The ministry also worked on this plan which, once approved, will address problems arising from growing traffic volumes in the Lower Mainland. It focuses on better management of existing resources to create a more efficient and cost-effective system. During the year, the Traffic Management Group: · Completed a TMP business plan; The Provincial Highway Plan, · Completed systems development of technologies to support user-service applications in the TMP, including a fibre-optic once it is approved, …will telecommunications network; help integrate corridor and · Began to develop an advanced traveller information system using changeable or variable message signs; regional transportation · Began a preliminary design of TMP systems on the proposed system plans so decisions on HOV corridor on the Trans-Canada Highway between Willingdon investments can take into and Cape Horn interchanges, and · Started research on automated incident detection systems. account what is best for the Cycling Network Program A Cycling Network Program was province as a whole. established, providing up to $2 million a year in funding for the construction of cycling infrastructure on provincial and local roads, with the latter cost-shared 50/50 with local governments. A total of 27

23 projects were approved in 1995 and 25 in 1996. They included new and retrofit construction on both on-street and off-street bicycle routes. The program is led by the BC Transportation Financing Authority with the ministry providing administrative support. Highway Safety Improvement Program Under this program, a partnership involving the Insurance Corporation of B.C., the ministry and municipalities, accident-prone sites are identified and engineering strategies developed to reduce crashes. During 1995/96, the ministry allocated $2.5 million for road safety improvements at about 80 locations around the province. Four areas of improvements were targeted – intersection improvements, elimination of roadside hazards, improvement of school bus routes, and general safety works.

Su r veys and Studies Surveys were conducted in the Kootenays and Central/North East B.C. to gauge public impression of general highway operations and maintenance. They dealt with rest areas, signs, pavement condition and upkeep of roadsides. The results were summarized in a report which was made available to ministry branches and other government offices. Overall response to ministry program was positive. In the Central/North East Region, quality and service continued to be monitored through distribution and analysis of information gathered through a pamphlet, We’re Listening, and a questionnaire on Service A 1995 survey of professional Excellence. drivers on Vancouver Island The results of a 1995 survey of professional drivers on Vancouver showed drivers were generally Island showed drivers were generally satisfied with services provided, satisfied with services but wanted more attention on repairing road surfaces and putting in more left-turn slots. Concrete median barriers were more of a concern provided, but wanted more for drivers in the south of the Island, while paving was a greater concern attention on repairing road for drivers in the northern end of the Island. surfaces and putting in more A strategic policy framework was started for the Trans-Canada left-turn slots. Highway between Kamloops and Yoho National Park. A joint project of Thompson/Okanagan and Kootenay regions, the plan is scheduled for completion in 1998/99. It will provide a planning overview and policy direction for corridor protection, access management, rehabilitation and capital construction programs. Region 3 developed nine options for the south side of Three Valley Lake on the Trans-Canada Highway about 20 km west of Revelstoke. Evaluation and selection of the optimum alignment remains to be done. The region is also continuing to evaluate

24 and identify possible routes on the north side of Three Valley Lake. The terrain makes highway construction very difficult and would necessitate considerable tunnel work. A Strategic Planning Study was undertaken in the Kootenay-Boundary area to produce short-term and long-term frameworks for operations, rehabilitation and capital programs. The study was to be completed by March 1997, when the consultant’s report would be presented to the ministry. Ministry staff joined in late 1995 in the first stage of preparation of the Okanagan Valley Transportation Plan, a multi-agency initiatve led by the BCTFA. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of 1998. A corridor planning study started during 1995/96 for the Yellowhead Highway 16 from Prince George to the Alberta border. The process relies heavily on consultation with affected communities and stakeholders. Two preliminary studies were conducted on the feasibility of linking Prince Rupert, Digby Island and Tsimpsean Peninsula by bridges and roads. The studies were commissioned by the BC Transportation Financing Authority. The first supported a 920-metre-long bridge connecting Prince Rupert and Digby, where the regional airport is situated, while the second supported a bridge and road link from Digby to Tsimpsean, where about 2,000 aboriginals make their home.

Working with the First Nations An agreement was signed in July 1995 with three bands in the Hazelton area to establish a right of way over 13 km of the Kispiox Valley Road through four reserves. The agreement ended a 15-year dispute between the bands and the province and addressed such matters as safety and sustainability of the road. Archaeological and environmental assessment contracts were awarded for a new two-lane gravel road that will link the Village of Kincolith with other Nisga’a villages in the Nass Valley and the provincial highway sys- tem for the first time. The 23-kilometre road is planned to run along the north side of the Nass River from Greenville and will connect to a road being constructed by Nisga’a Economic Enterprises Incorporated between Mill Bay and Kincolith, which at present is only accessible by water or air. The highway project is a co-operative venture of the Nisga’a First Nation and federal and provincial governments to improve the living standards of the people of Kincolith and expand economic devel- opment opportunities in the region.

25 ■✔ By enhancing the provincial highway network, the ministry facilitates economic and social development around the pro v i n c e .

The scale of the projects The ministry delivers major projects – defined as projects worth more requires attention and care to than $50 million – on behalf of the BC Transportation Financing Authority and in keeping with BC21’s implementation strategy and effective management. objectives. The scale of the projects requires attention and care to effective management. Performance targets are established for each project management team. Vancouver Island Highway Project Consolidated as a major project in 1987, with engineering and design work beginning in the 1988/89 fiscal year, this massive project aims to relieve congestion and improve safety for motorists travelling between Victoria and Campbell River. In late 1994/95, the project scope and schedule were redefined, chiefly to take into account sharply increased real estate values and enhancements that stemmed from public consultation and environmental protection requirements. While the $1.227-billion budget (in 1993 dollars) was maintained, some low priority elements were deferred and a management reserve was created. The completion schedule was extended one year to 2000. As reconfigured, the project involves the construction of some 140 km of new highway and 85 km of existing highway. An addition to the project has been construction of a $12.3-million interchange for a connector road serving the new Duke Point Ferry Terminal. The Highway Constructors Ltd. project agreement was estab- lished to provide similar wages and benefits to construction workers on the Island Highway as the provincial Fair Wage schedule sets out for workers on other government-funded projects. In addition, the agreement makes local hiring a priority, guarantess no strikes or lockouts and provides training opportunities for traditionally disadvantaged people. During 1995/96, the project spent $208 million. A total of 26 construction contracts were awarded, resulting in 508 person-years of construction labor. The gross payroll was $29.8 million. Approximately 13 per cent of the construction jobs were filled by women, aboriginals or disabled persons who are not traditionally employed in such work.

26 Hi g h l i g h t s : Capital Region Extensive work began on the Victoria Western Approaches with two major bulk-grading contracts between Spencer and Helmcken roads. These contracts call for new interchanges at Millstream and Helmcken roads, a partial interchange at Thetis Lake Park and a major upgrade to the Highway 14/1A Colwood Interchange. The Helmcken/West Burnside Connector, or Watkiss Way, was opened to traffic. Goldstream to Nanaimo A section between Stocking Creek and Transfer Beach in South Ladysmith was opened to traffic and substantial work was done on the extension of Christie Road in North Ladysmith. Work on the Duke Point Interchange got under way using day labor. Nanaimo Parkway Construction began between Mostar and Superior roads. Grading was completed from East Wellington Road to Mostar Road. The East Wellington Bridge was opened to traffic, and excavation started on the section between Harewood Mines Road and East Wellington Road. Construction started on the Cedar Road Flyover and on the Cranberry Overpass and Overhead between Beck Creek and Harewood Mines. Parksville to Mud Bay Six bridges were completed. They were: Kincade Creek, Corcan Road, Rosewall Creek, Chef Creek, Thames Creek and McNaughton Creek. Work started on three other bridges: Big Qualicum River, Nile Creek and Cook Creek. As well, construction started on the Craig’s Crossing Interchange. Highway 4 was paved so the interchange could open to partial traffic. Paving started on Highway 4A and preparations began to pave the highway between Highway 4 and Mud Bay. Mud Bay to Courtenay Preparations were made to award a contract for construction of the Tsable River Bridge, the largest of 90 bridges in the VIHP. Grading began between Mud Bay and Tsable River. Campbell River Construction of the Campbell River Bypass started and a contract for the Campbell River Connector was about to be awarded. Trans-Canada Highway, Vancouver to Langley The ministry undertook the functional design of a project to widen the highway between Grandview and Cape Horn interchanges to six lanes from four, with the additional lanes reserved for high occupancy vehicles In addition, a value engineering overview was initiated to ensure the project is built to minimal functional requirements. In order to compress the soft peat ground on which much of the highway sits and provide a stable base, susceptible areas west of Brunette River were loaded with surcharged embankment fill that will remain in place until major construction starts in summer 1997. Expenditures for the year were $3,021,000.

27 Barnet/Hastings People Moving Project This multi-year project involves four-laning Barnet Highway from St. John’s Street in Port Moody to Inlet Drive in Burnaby, as well as improvements to St. John’s and Clarke streets in Port Moody and Hastings Street in Burnaby and Vancouver to accommodate the provincial highway system’s first HOV express lanes. The project also involves construction of a 1.2-km connector between Hastings Street and Gaglardi Way to improve access to Simon Fraser University. Construction progressed toward a September 1996 completion date. By March 31, 1996, over $90 million had been spent on the project, whose total budget is $105 million. Fraser River Crossing and Connectors During 1995/96, construction of the Annacis Channel West Bridge got under way and preloading for an interchange to replace a signalized intersection at Hamilton and Highway 91A was completed. Property for the road and bridge construction was acquired. Expenditures for the year were $12,023,000. The work, part of Phase Three of a project to upgrade the Highway 91/91A system linking Delta and Surrey with Richmond and New Westminster, also involves an interchange to replace a signalized intersection at Westminster Highway and Highway 91A. BC Transporta- tion Financing Authority has approved $17,069,697 in funds for Phase Three since April 1, 1994. The first two phases involved construction of the Alex Fraser Bridge and the Richmond Freeway, both completed. Lions Gate Bridge Project Started in 1993, this project involves technical and environmental studies and public consultation for replacing or rehabilitating the bridge, which was opened in 1938 and the road deck now needs to be replaced. During 1995/96, work centred on reviewing the many infrastructure options available. So far, $2.34 million has been spent on engineering feasibility, public consultation and environmental assessment. Highway 97, Okanagan Reconstruction of Highway 97 between the US border and the Trans-Canada Highway continued to relieve congestion through populated areas and alleviate safety concerns. The project also involves improvements to Highway 97A and Highway 97B. A total of 104 km had been upgraded by March 31, 1996, with a further 194 km left to be done. Reconstruction of the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 3 at Osoyoos was completed in July 1995 at a project cost of $7.7 million, funded through the federal/provincial Strategic Highway Improvement Program. Preliminary design was started for expanding the Okanagan Lake Bridge to four lanes from three. Expenditures

28 on the bridge expansion project totalled $1.17 million as of March 31, 1996.

Highway Pr oj e c t s Highway 1 Construction started on four-laning 3.1 km between Sonora Road and Monte Creek Road east of Kamloops. The project receives funds under the federal/provincial Strategic Highway Improvement Program and is part of a three-phase program to upgrade 11.3 km of the highway between Campbell Creek and the Highway 97 intersection at Monte Creek, as well as to four-lane 4.2 km of Highway 97. Passing lanes were completed on 2.5 km of the highway east of Pritchard. Highway 7 Design work and property acquisition were started in preparation for the construction of highway improvements to accommodate the Pitt River Bridge counterflow system. Property acquisition continued in preparation for the four-laning of the Lougheed Highway between 240th Street and West Boundary IR #5. Highway 12 The preliminary design for the Lytton Bridge replacement was presented to the Village of Lytton and the Lytton First Nation. Negotiations continued with the latter over land issues. Alternate alignments were considered. Highway 19 A project to relocate and four-lane 1.8 km of highway through Campbell River was completed. The project was undertaken in cooperation with the District of Campbell River and the Campbell River Indian Band. Under a unique partnership Highway 24 An 11.8-km section of the highway from Lemieux Creek arrangement with the BC west to the hill brake check in the Little Fort area was paved for the first Transportation Financing time. Work was completed in October 1995. Authority by which the Highway 97 Design work and property acquisition were undertaken in preparation for the construction of passing lanes in the Lac La Hache owners of the Mt. area. Washington Ski Resort pay Mt. Washington Road Six km of this road were reconstructed and half the costs, the Mt. paved under a unique partnership arrangement with the BC Washington Road project Transportation Financing Authority by which the owners of the Mt. involves total reconstruction Washington Ski Resort pay half the costs. The project involves total reconstruction and paving of the entire 18-kilometre road. Drilling and and paving of the entire 18- blasting commenced in the remaining 12-kilometre section, which was kilometre road. scheduled to be completed in 1996/97.

29 Duke Point Fer ry Access Road Design and property acquisition took place for this road that will serve a new ferry terminal at Nanaimo. Advanced construction work costing $3.4 million was carried out to facilitate major construction activities slated for 1996/97. Lower Mainland Highway System • Contracts for Gibsons Bypass Phase I and II were completed. The new facility was opened to traffic in December 1995. • Rehabilitation of the Lions Gate Bridge continued with further sidewalk panels replaced. Major repairs to 32 roadway stringers at the two main towers were planned for 1996/97. A full-time three-member maintenance crew was to be assigned to the bridge in the fall of 1996. • Major rehabilitation of the decks on the Oak Street Bridge was completed and plans prepared to redo the deck on the Second Narrows Bridge in the summer of 1996. Seismic retrofit projects were completed on the Queensborough Bridge and four overpasses on Highway 1 east of the Port Mann Bridge. Retrofit got under way on the Oak Street Bridge, and seismic design was started on the Knight Street Bridge and on Lions Gate Bridge.

■✔ In delivering its services, the ministry strives to protect the en v i ro n m e n t .

Landscape Standards and Practices During 1995/96, the ministry: • Developed requirements for road and bridge maintenance contractors to follow in meeting their responsibilities to protect the environment; • Produced a draft Environmental Management Plan detailing During 1995/96, the Ministry sound environmental practices in planning, designing and produced a draft delivering highway programs, as well as a draft Highway Environment Development Process to help regions and districts Environmental Management train staff in these practices; Plan detailing sound • Developed a draft quality assurance process for landscape and rest area design services and produced revised landscape specifi- environmental practices in cations for the 1996 Standard Specifications for Highway planning, designing and Construction Manual. delivering highway programs. • Developed a draft protocol agreement with the ministry of environment, lands and parks on environmental issues, such as contaminated sites, environmental impact assessment and road maintenance operations.

30 • Produced a draft memorandum of understanding with the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association outlining the policy on highway fencing applications under Schedule II. • Carried out research on two noise attenuation projects, including one under the professional partnership program with University of British Columbia involving optimum configurations and materials for earth berm designs; and the other involving tests on open-grad- ed asphalt paving, so-called “quiet pavement,” to determine noise reduction qualities in both the short term and long term; • Conducted research on the quality of storm water drainage and New information signs were the effectiveness of wildlife reflectors on test sections of highways. completed at the Wahleach Safety Rest Area Program Two safety rest areas were upgraded to Rest Area… under a unique Class B standards. They included the Taylor River site west of Port project with the Sto:lo First Alberni, where new composting toilets were installed, and the Cluculz Nation, whose members Creek site near Vanderhoof, where a new building with water- conserving flush toilets was built. New information signs were participated in the research completed at the Wahleach Rest Area west of Hope on Highway 7 under and the writing of the a unique project with the Sto:lo First Nation, whose members material. participated in the research and the writing of the material. There were 209 rest areas on the provincial highway system as of March 31, 1996. Contaminated Sites Remediation was carried out at five contaminated gravel pits. • The ministry removed about 80,000 litres of liquid asphalt (350 tandem-truck loads) that had been dumped on the Alexandria Indian Band reserve near Quesnel some four decades earlier by a contractor who had opened a gravel pit on the reserve to supply material for paving the Cariboo Highway. The contractor had emptied two full tanker loads of liquid asphalt on the site, and over the years it had been a source of great concern to band members because in summer cattle would get caught in the mess and become sick or die. The issue had been brought to the attention of various government agencies before the ministry got involved in May 1995 and ordered an immediate cleanup, which took about a month. Subsequently, soil samples showed the site to be contamination-free. It has since been landscaped and seeded. • The Heffley Creek water system, contaminated by salt stored in a salt shed, was completely restored in September 1995. Two new wells were drilled for the community water system and a new facility to store salt and sand was built. In addition, environmental remediation was carried out at the site of the old salt shed. The project has involved on-going liaison with the community. A new salt shed was also built in Little Fort and

31 remediation carried out at the old site. A new salt storage area was nearing completion in Barriere to replace two existing salt sheds. Control of Noxious Weeds A representative of the ministry was appointed to the Weed Control Committee of the Regional District of East Kootenays, which is charged under a local bylaw to curtail infestation of noxious weeds in the area. The committee administers services to enforce weed control measures and liaises with various agencies. Environmental Protection on the VIHP A number of environmental mitigation projects were undertaken as part of the VIHP’s mandate to protect watercourses along the project. The two major projects were: • Beck Creek, south of Nanaimo, where the channel, which supports a variety of fish, including coho salmon and cutthroat trout, was substantially modified to compensate for construction- related impacts. Work was carried out between June 15 to Sept. 15. About 2,000 fish were caught and relocated outside the construction area. The creek and a tributary, Richards Creek, were diverted through pipes, thus ensuring uninterrupted fish passage and a steady supply of clean water downstream. The new channel … About 2,000 fish were provides a quality habitat for both spawning and overwintering caught and relocated outside for anadromous fish species. A bridge was constructed over Beck the construction area.… Creek on the new alignment of Cedar Road, and a three-metre concrete box culvert was installed across the Trans-Canada Highway alignment. Gravel and boulders were deposited within the culvert to simulate the natural habitat. • Craigflower Creek in Victoria Western Approaches where a new channel was constructed between the Trans Canada Highway and West Burnside Road when the new highway alignment encroached into the existing creek bed. A creek channel and a backwater channel were formed, creating a spawning habitat for coho and a high-quality summer rearing habitat for juvenile coho. The back channel protects juvenile fish over winter, too, and thus improves the salmon survival rate. Water was diverted from the creek into the man-made channel in September. Overhangs and undercuts were constructed to provide shade and protective cover for fish. Native vegetation was reintroduced on the banks. Artificial shading was installed and will remain in place until the shade trees mature.

32 ■✔ The ministry communicates with the public about its activities and is responsive to community transportation needs.

Ministry staff work with municipal and regional governments, associations and community groups to identify local highway improvements. Consultation is emphasized at all phases of a project so needs of the community are appropriately addressed. The ministry holds public information meetings, attends fairs and exhibitions, and participates in meetings of action committees, parent and school advisory groups. These events by region included: • Kootenay Region The public was involved in planning studies with the Corridor Strategy Work, the Kootenay Lake Ferry Study and the Boundary Transportation Plan. There were open houses, meetings and interviews with stakeholders. The ministry continued to report to the Kootenays Regional Advisory Group on transportation issues and acted as an advisor to the Transportation Task Force. • Central/North East Region The ministry met with City of Prince George representatives on a regular basis to plan and coordinate work on provincial highways within municipal boundaries. Corridor planning studies were initiated for Highway 16 and Highway 27 within the municipalities of Vanderhoof and Fort St. James. The ministry worked cooperatively with the City of Williams Lake to complete a three-year program to design and install street lighting on Highway 97 to enhance safety. • Thompson-Okanagan Region The ministry worked in Consultation is emphasized at partnership with the Central Okanagan Regional District all phases of a project so developing major street network plans for Ellison, Lakeview and Westbank. The ministry was a partner with the City of Kamloops needs of the community are in developing its “Travelsmart” integrated transportation plan. appropriately addressed. Thompson -Okanagan Region Planning Services participated in the development of land resource management plans for Kamloops-Clearwater and Okanagan-Shuswap and undertook 20 major street network and highway plan reviews in support of local government land use planning initiatives. A public forum was held in Cache Creek in September 1995 to discuss the ministry’s slope stabilization program, especially in the Fraser Canyon. • North West Region Public meetings were held on upgrading the Telegraph Creek Road. A 10-year plan was developed. Stakeholders included the regional district, Tahltan band and tribal council, Tahltan Nation Development Corp., Yellowhead Road and Bridge Contractors and the provincial ministries of

33 forests, environment and highways. Meetings were also held with Tahltan Band members regarding the Telegraph Creek Bypass and the purchase of property for upgrading Telegraph Creek Road. In addition, an open house was held at Telkwa on possible routes for a bypass around the community. The ministry participated in trade fairs around the province, including Burns Lake, Houston, Prince Rupert, Terrace and Smithers. • Vancouver Island The ministry worked with Islands Trust in developing a letter of understanding on subdivision matters and a memorandum of understanding on road standard variances. • South Coast The ministry held a number of information sessions with the public, municipalities and municipal councils on the Lions Gate Bridge replacement. These included mall displays and the video Choice of Crossing shown on North Shore cable TV. Information updates were held in November at six locations, including the West End, West Vancouver, East Vancouver, Vancouver, Kitsilano and North Vancouver, and in December at the Musqueam Indian Reserve. In January a display was featured at a transportation symposium hosted by the City of Vancouver. Through the Aboriginal Relations Branch, the ministry worked with First Nations groups, providing road research, policy development and advice on tenure issues. During the year, the branch: • Launched a research project on reserve tenure issues and … the ministry worked with participated in successful tenure negotiations with the Kispiox, First Nations groups, Glen Vowell and Gitmangax, Stellaquo, Kitsumkalum and Kamloops bands. providing road research, • Participated with the BC Transportation Financing Authority, policy development and Vancouver Island Highway Project and the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs in developing an agreement with YMC, a development advice on tenure issues. company representing aboriginal communities and associations from around Vancouver Island. The agreement focused on job and economic opportunities for First Nations impacted by the major highway improvement. This led to the production of a report Employment and Contracting Opportunities – Vancouver Island Highway Project. • Produced and distributed policy guidelines to ministry staff on how to avoid infringing on aboriginal rights when carrying out ministry activities. • Represented ministry interests in negotiations with the Nisga’a and Sechelt First Nations, especially access and regulation of traffic and transportation, and worked with the Carrier-Sekani, Skeechestn and Sto:lo bands to establish roadside information kiosks within their traditional territories.

34 • Formalized a protocol agreement with the federal government on the process for transferring administration and control of rights of way through Indian reserves from federal to provincial jurisdiction. Public consultation was an important component of major projects, as well. Four open houses were held as part of the ongoing public consultation process on sections of the Vancouver Island Highway Project under design. They included: • Bridge alignment alternatives in Campbell River • Craig’s Crossing Interchange just south of Parksville • Improvements to the section between Grouhel Road and just north of Ladysmith • Planning study for improvements between Kilmalu and Miller roads south of Duncan and north of Mill Bay. Local residents were kept well-informed about the project through information offices located in Langford, Nanaimo, Courtenay and, from June 1995, Campbell River. Collectively, the offices received more than 18,000 inquiries during the year, indicating wide interest in the project. Community liaison committee meetings were also held regularly up and down the Island to keep local residents informed and to address their concerns. Media advisories and local advertising announced construction work, detours and road closures. Local MLAs hosted drop- in sessions. Presentations on safety were given at elementary schools in all communities impacted by the construction. Public tours of the The ministry continued to project in August 1995 and March 1996 proved very popular. support … a program that The ministry continued to support Futures in Transportation Technology (FITT), a program that teaches students the importance of teaches students the math and science in future career opportunities. Since 1992, more than importance of math and 100 schools have participated in the program, which also provides science in future career students work experience in transportation-related fields. opportunities. The ministry continued to support Project Heavy Duty, which provides Grade 11 and 12 students in the Vanderhoof/Fort St. James area training in the operation of heavy equipment in preparation for job placements in local forest, agriculture and construction industries. Held annually during spring breakup and involving a maximum of 30 students, the week-long program touches on equipment operation, safety and first-aid. School District #56, local contractors and equipment operators are all partners with the Nechako District Highways Office in the training, which is carried out in one of the ministry’s gravel pits.

35 ■✔ The ministry supports communities in the development of their tr a n s p o r tation networks

The ministry seeks ways to streamline municipal support programs to generate more value for money. During 1995/96, these included: • Secondary Highway Program There were 103 secondary highways within 62 municipalities eligible for the 1995/96 Secondary Highways Program. Under Part 3 of the Highway Act, municipalities receive 50 per cent of the capital construction costs and 40 per cent of maintenance costs for secondary highways, and where the population is 1,000 or less, 75 per cent of both capital and maintenance costs. During 1995/96, the ministry assisted 62 municipalities on maintenance projects with approved funds of $903,577. A total of $2,466,984 was approved for capital projects in 29 municipalities. • New Incorporations and Municipal Restructures Municipalities that take on responsibility for provincial roads through incorporation or boundary restructuring are supported for eight The ministry seeks ways to years under this program, which provides assistance in streamline municipal support maintenance and rehabilitation of roads and bridges. During 1995/96, the program approved $679,448 for capital projects in six programs to generate more municipalities – District of Campbell River, District of Sicamous, value for money. District of Hope, Town of Oliver, City of Vernon and City of Kelowna. No payments were made for maintenance. • Bridge Assistance No funding was made during 1995/96 under this program, which is covered under Section 32.3 of the Highway Act. • Local Government Grants The advent of the federal/provincial infrastructure program put this program on hold. No grants were made during 1995/96. • Infrastructure Works Program The ministry continued to be involved in the Infrastructure Works Program Working Group and management of this program, whose costs are shared equally by federal, provincial and local governments. Under the program, signed on April 1, 1994, some $675 million will be invested in B.C. infrastructure over a five-year period ending March 31, 1999. Some $72 million worth of roads projects have been approved; the provincial share amounts to $24 million.

36 ■✔ The ministry ensures motor vehicles meet req u i r ed standards and that applicants are fit and able to operate motor vehicles sa f e l y .

The Motor Vehicle Branch develops and implements procedures for licensing drivers and regulating the Motor Vehicle Act to ensure a high standard of driving in B.C. It conducts inspections of vehicles and organizations licensed by the branch to ensure compliance with regulations. It also collects revenue from traffic violations. In 1995/96, there were 3,272,200 driver’s licences in British Columbia, of which 2,955,000 were registered drivers. There were 26,018 commercial carriers, and 79,051 vehicles came under the National Safety Code. During the year, the branch: • Conducted 136,406 road tests • Issued 113,820 driver’s licenses • Renewed 461,812 driver’s licences; • Processed 535,884 violation tickets, of which 24,413 were disputed; • Processed 128,220 accident reports. The branch ensures compliance of motor vehicle regulations and safety standards. Through a variety of programs, it conducts inspections on vehicles, from school buses to commercial vehicles and private vehicles. It authorizes designated inspection facilities and approves preventative maintenance programs established by companies for their own fleets. It checks commercial vehicles to ensure compliance with vehicle size and weight regulations, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance standards and with the National Safety Code, where applicable. It also works closely with police agencies on random roadside inspections. The department monitors carrier profiles, accidents, and warning or violation tickets. It issues permits, such as for red and amber flashing lights, regulates load size, weight and load security of commercial carriers, and is responsible for implementing and administering programs in support of the Provincial Transport of Dangerous Goods Act.

37 During the year, the Commercial Transport and Inspections Department: • Issued 408 new school bus permits; • Licensed 225 more inspection facilities bringing the total to 1,513 province-wide, and added 44 more preventative maintenance programs bringing that total to 604; • Issued 80,000 oversize/overweight permits and 80,500 non- resident commercial vehicle permits; • Performed 167,677 inspections at designated facilities, including 4,244 inspections on rebuilt vehicles; • Ordered 10,917 vehicles to be inspected, resulting in 3,241 vehicles being removed from the highways; • Inspected 13,520 vehicles at random roadside checks; • Processed 3,842 applications for National Safety Code safety certificates; • Certified an additional 482 authorized inspectors to conduct inspections at designated inspection facilities; • Issued 221 permits for flashing amber lights and red lights and sirens; • Checked 1,248,106 of the 2,886,836 vehicles that passed through A new schedule of fines came provincial weigh scales; into effect on Dec. 1, 1995, • Issued 32,000 violation tickets by Commercial Transport encouraging greater inspectors at static and portable weigh scales; and • Issued 863 violation tickets for non-compliance with the compliance with driver Transport of Dangerous Goods Act. training regulations … A total of 22,814 vehicles passed the Pre-registration and Licensing Motor Vehicle Inspection Program, introduced on Sept. 1, 1995, in conjunction with ICBC. The pass rate was roughly one-half of the total tested. During the year, the branch evaluated and upgraded written knowledge tests for applicants for licences to operate ambulances, taxis, small buses or motorcycles. It amended the Safe Driving Guide, Safe Riding Guide, and Professional Driving Guide to incorporate changes in legislation, policy and testing standards. The branch also revised the Driver Licensing Manual to included new procedures for issuing digital driver licences and identification cards. A new schedule of fines came into effect on Dec. 1, 1995, encouraging greater compliance with driver training regulations, which had been revised in October 1994. Working with the industry, the branch produced a recommended curriculum for training new drivers. It also

38 obtained recommendations for a curriculum outline for training driving instructors. In the Lower Mainland, a staff person was assigned as a driver training inspector and more than 200 driver training schools were inspected. Working with the Insurance Corporation of B.C., the branch introduced a new safety inspection program on Sept. 1, 1995, to reduce Most used vehicles imported vehicle thefts and fraud and ensure roadworthiness. Most used vehicles into British Columbia … are imported into British Columbia have their vehicle identification numbers verified and are now required to pass a mechanical safety now required to pass a inspection prior to being registered or licensed. Rebuilt, altered or mechanical safety inspection constructed vehicles must also pass a structural integrity assessment prior to being registered or prior to being registered or licensed. licensed. The branch strengthened its relations with BC police agencies over the past year. In November 1995 a police officer from Abbotsford Police Department took over as manager of the Investigation Unit on an 18-month secondment designed to improve co-operative efforts in combating licensing fraud. Driver impersonation continued to be a major, growing concern, with some 800 claims involving about 2,400 tickets received during the year. The unit conducted administrative investigations to determine if tickets should be cancelled, while police conducted criminal investigations to determine if charges should be laid. A file tracking system was implemented that greatly enhanced managing and processing of files. Customer service and other MVB units had access to the system so clients could be kept better informed of the progress of their claims. During the year the unit also worked closely with the Traffic Safety Initiative project teams, recommending ways to reduce opportunities for fraud. International Registration Plan In January 1996, British Columbia became the third Canadian province after Alberta and Saskatchewan to join the International Registration Plan, to which the 48 contiguous states in the U.S. are already party. The plan is a commercial licensing agreement that allows commercial carriers to prorate their licence fees and taxes based on the miles they travel in various jurisdictions across the United States and Canada. The benefits for B.C. include increased competitive capacity of the province’s interjurisdictional trucking industry.

39 ■✔ A primary objective of the branch is to reduce the freq u e n c y and severity of traffic crashes.

Each year traffic crashes in British Columbia kill hundreds of people and injure thousands more. Combined health, insurance and other societal costs exceed $2 billion. Road safety is thus a top priority of the ministry. The branch has worked closely with ICBC, other agencies and Through education, stakeholders to identify emerging traffic safety concerns and to develop public awareness programs that address those concerns. Through engineering and enforcement, education, engineering and enforcement, the ministry is striving to make the ministry is striving to the provincial road system the safest in North America. make the provincial road The ministry tabled legislation for the Traffic Safety Initiative , which system the safest in North incorporates a number of projects, programs and polices aimed at America. improving traffic safety in the province. These include photo radar, new driver improvement, vehicle impoundment, administrative driving prohibition, digitized drivers’ licences, new computer systems, and a variety of measures to improve the collection of outstanding traffic fines. The initiative, in its first full year, is projected to save 100 lives and to reduce insurance, health and societal costs arising from traffic crashes by $350 million. During 1995/96: • A five-year contract was signed with IBM Canada Ltd. to replace the branch’s aging photo-ID licensing system with a digital system that captures and stores both picture and signature. Digital cameras were to be installed at more than 120 driver licensing outlets around the province. The system provides greater protection against tampering and forgery and shortens licence- processing time for clients. • New measures to improve collections of fines were introduced. They included sending a warning letter, deducting funds from bank accounts, and making demands for third-party payments. In September 1995 the branch began to place overdue accounts with a private collection agency. Legislation was introduced to add interest to outstanding traffic fines, but the project was subsequently cancelled.

40 • By November 1995, police had established province-wide standards for photo radar cameras. The targets would be unsafe speeders. Cameras would be used in places with a history of crashes or where there was a documented record of speeding that was a concern to the community. • The provincial government formed a partnership with a consortium headed by American Traffic Systems of Canada Ltd. (ATS Canada) to provide 30 mobile camera units and develop computer systems for photo radar. The capital portion of the contract was worth $11.1 million. • Photo radar trials began and warning letters were sent to drivers caught speeding. No tickets were issued at this stage. • A plan to evaluate the various programs of the initiative was reviewed by an evaluation task group and approved by the program Partners Forum. Key indicators were identified and a data warehouse set up to maintain and monitor data crucial for measuring trends and assessing how well the programs were working in achieving traffic safety goals. Recoveries resulting from the traffic safety initiatives reached A new payment plan was $4 million as of March 31, 1996. They included $2.5 million recovered initiated in August 1995 to by collections agencies under contract with the ministry and help clients pay off their $1.5 million recovered through stepped-up in-house enforcement measures, such as third-party demands, which accounted for $750,000 overdue fines. in recoveries, and liens on real property, which resulted in recoveries of $100,000. Demands were generally issued on balances in excess of $300. More than 34,000 clients with outstanding fines totalling $17.6 million were referred to a collection agency. A new payment plan was initiated in August 1995 to help clients pay off their overdue fines. A total of 3,400 plans involving fines of $2.6 million had been set up by March 31, 1996. The rate of recovery rose to 65 per cent from 20 per cent under the old payment schedules. The collections unit also recovered more than $55,000 by re-presenting NSF cheques to clients’ banks. By January 1996, overdue fines were being paid off at a rate higher than new fines were being added. Accounts receivable continued to decline in February and March. Drinking Driving CounterAttack Since 1977, this umbrella program has co-ordinated the province’s impaired driving responses, including police enforcement, policy development, and public awareness/education campaigns.

41 During 1995/96, the program: • Conducted two high-profile enforcement campaigns – a Spring CounterAttack that ran between May 25 and June 5 and the regular Christmas CounterAttack conducted between Dec. 8 and Jan. 3, each supported by media campaigns, promotional materials and police-initiated community events; • Created, produced and distributed messages for television and radio, aired as a public service under an agreement between the province and the B.C. Association of Broadcasters; •Won numerous awards, including four Public Awareness and Consumer Education awards of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, a Lotus award for excellence in advertising in B.C., two Canadian Marketing awards and an International Mobius award; • Co-ordinated with ICBC an enhanced CounterAttack roadcheck program in the Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria areas between June and December; • Continued a program to upgrade the fleet of CounterAttack vans used by police around the province. The branch continued to develop Safe Cycling Program to help young cyclists improve their cycling skills and knowledge, promote proper use of safety equipment and foster road-sharing attitudes among all road users. The “Bike Smarts” education program, developed with the Cycling Education Committee, was launched as a pilot project, with province-wide implementation planned in 1996. Regional staff were involved in a variety of events and presentations promoting traffic safety. They visited schools and worked with community organizations and cultural groups. They also participated in trade shows and mall events to inform and educate the public on driver licensing and driver improvement, bicycle safety, pedestrian safety for children and commercial vehicle safety.

42 ■✔ The branch works with the Ministry of Environment and the Gr eater Vancouver Regional District to ensure an effe c t i v e emissions inspection program – AirCare Prog r a m

During 1995/96, a total of 1,102,760 inspections were carried out at … a recognized international the AirCare Program’s 12 locations in the Lower Mainland. The failure authority in auditing rate was 12 per cent. Since the program started in September 1992 – the inspection/maintenance first of its kind in Canada – more than three million vehicles have gone programs stated that AirCare through the test. It has helped reduce air pollution in the Lower Fraser Valley, and through encouraging more efficiently running vehicles has is one of the most effective produced fuel consumption savings for motorists as well An indepen- programs in North America dent evaluation in 1995 by the Radian Corporation, a recognized for ensuring vehicles meet international authority in auditing inspection/maintenance programs, stated that AirCare is one of the most effective programs in North emissions standards. America for ensuring vehicles meet emissions standards. A unique feature of the AirCare program is certification of the repair industry. Certified centres provided the most effective repairs of any emissions inspection and maintenance program in North America, with the average repair bill coming in under $200. Regular audits of the centres and technicians were conducted during the year, ensuring a high level of consumer protection for Lower Fraser Valley motorists. Started in early 1996, the BC SCRAP-IT Program offers vehicle owners a financial incentive to take older, polluting vehicles off the road. It is a co-operative effort of the ministry, the BC Automobile Dealers Association and the ministry of environment, lands and parks.

43 44 Restructuring The ministry is committed to major organizational changes to reduce spending, improve efficiency and make operations more cost-effective so the province can preserve funding for health care and education. The changes involve streamlining highways operations and merging the Motor Vehicle Branch and the Insurance Corporation of B.C. Under the restructuring plan announced on March 4, 1996, headquarters will be downsized by 22 per cent of staff positions. Headquarters engineering branches will be reduced from eight to two – Highway Engineering Branch and Construction and Maintenance Branch. In addition, a seven-per-cent reduction in regional and district maintenance infrastructure will be implemented during the year New Traffic Safety Initiatives following discussions with major stakeholders and a rationalization of services. The aim is to reduce Administration and Support Services by will target drivers who are 11 per cent and Highway Planning and Major Projects by 19 per cent. responsible for a high The ministry will become a more effective manager of the highway proportion of crashes. system than direct provider of services. The headquarters focus will rest in policy making, setting standards and providing expertise, while program delivery will reside with the regions, districts and Major Projects staff. The merger of the MVB and ICBC will be accomplished in two phases, the first involving the transfer of driver licensing and related functions, traffic safety programs, operational policy, fines, revenue and administration, information technology, and AirCare. The second phase will involve the transfer of adjudication and enforcement programs. The ministry will retain policy decisions and will set up an appeal mechanism to review driver and vehicle licensing decisions by ICBC. Traffic Safety Initiative Announced by the minister in March 1995, the TSI is the umbrella name for a group of projects, programs and policies aimed at improving traffic safety in the province. New measures will target drivers who are responsible for a high proportion of crashes. These include photo radar to crack down on speeders, administrative driving prohibition to remove drinking drivers from the road, vehicle impoundment to deal with persons who drive while prohibited or unlicensed, and a new driver improvement program to help new drivers become better, safer drivers. Highway safety remains a top priority of the ministry.

45 Highways Traffic Management Group In the year ahead, the group will focus on traffic management improvements on Highway 99 and at the Pacific Highway/Peace Arch border crossings. The group, which is involved in strategies to improve traffic flow in the Lower Mainland, also intends to initiate short-term improvements, including software development, installation and testing of equipment. The measures complement the long-term transportation demand and land-use management objectives endorsed by Transport 2021. Maintenance Contracts The ministry is preparing for the renewal of maintenance contracts during 1996/97. All 28 contract areas are affected. Capital Programs The board of the BC Transportation Financing Au- thority approves the annual highways capital plan and sets the strategic direction for each project according to the BC 21 objectives, which stress economic development, job training and skills development, and expanded opportunities for traditionally under-represented groups. … the delivery of Capital Lions Gate Crossing The ministry remains committed to technical, Programs will stress economic environmental and public inputs before deciding on a new crossing. development, job training and Aboriginal Land Access The ministry will continue to work with First Nations and the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs to resolve road-tenure dis- skills development, and putes within existing reserve lands, and other issues of common concern. expanded opportunities for Municipal Grants and Subdivision Approval The ministry remains traditionally under- committed to a consultative review of all municipal grants, and to the represented groups. transfer of the rural subdivision process to regional districts on a voluntary basis.

46 $4 3 2 , 1 2 3 , 3 0 2 $4 1 6 , 7 6 8 , 1 8 9 Revenue $3 9 4 , 4 5 7 , 7 0 0 400 Five-year Comparison

NOTES: As a result of a government 300 reorganization in the fall of 1993, the Motor Vehicle Branch was transferred to the Ministry. For clarity and consistency, Motor Vehicle revenue is 200 displayed separately from Highways revenue. Revenues shown reflect Ministry of Transportation and Highways receipts 100 $6 0 , 7 2 6 , 8 6 1 $6 1 , 9 2 4 , 5 7 1 only. Information in the Public Ac- counts will contain revenue from all ministries, particularly in the case of “Miscellaneous” receipts. 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96

Highways Revenue Motor Vehicles Revenue Expenditure 1,200 Five-year Comparison $1 , 0 7 6 , 9 1 4 , 0 4 6 1,100 $9 7 4 , 6 0 1 , 0 1 0 $9 7 9 , 2 1 3 , 9 7 0 NOTES: 1,000 $8 5 7 , 2 8 4 , 8 2 2 ¥ During fiscal 1992-93, the Motor Vehicle 900 Branch and Motor Carrier Commission $8 4 4 , 0 9 7 , 1 5 7 were transferred from the Ministry of 800 Attorney General. ¥ ‘TFA’ - denotes ‘Transportation 700 Financing Authority’. 600 ¥ ‘FAA S22’ - denotes ‘Financial Administration Act - Section 22’; funding 500 provided by third parties 400 ¥ S.H.I.P. denotes the Strategic Highways Improvement Program funded by the 300 federal government. 200 100

1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96

B.C. Ferry Corporation Other Expenditures

MVB/MCC Transfer TFA/S22/SHIP Expenditures

The financial statements contained in this supplement to the Annual Report have been prepared by management in accordance with the accounting policies adopted by the Province of British Columbia. Management is responsible for the accuracy, integrity and objectivity of the information contained in these statements. Management maintains an extensive system of internal accounting controls to ensure that transactions are completely and accurately recorded on a timely basis, are properly approved and result in reliable financial statements. The expenditures included here are incorporated in the combined financial statements of the Province, which are examined by the Auditor General. The Auditor General expresses an opinion as to whether or not the combined financial statements present fairly the financial position, operating results and changes in financial position of the Government of the Province of British Columbia in conformity with the stated accounting policies. This opinion is contained in the Auditor’s Report which is included in the Public Accounts presented to the Legislative Assembly.

47 How The Transportation And Highways Dollar Was Spent April 1,1995 to March 31, 1996

Voted Other Funding Total % Expenditures Sources 1 Expenditures of Total

1. Highway Maintenance - Roads and Bridges Maintenance Expenditures 362,773,834 29,682 362,803,516 33.69 - Ferries Maintenance Expenditures 15,948,735 15,948,735 1.48 Total Highway Maintenance 378,722,569 29,682 378,752,251 35.17 2. Highway Rehabilitation - Road Rehabilitation Expenditures 78,652,817 2,581,995 81,234,812 7.54 - Bridges and Ferries Rehabilitation Expenditures 29,884,078 235,717 30,119,795 2.80 Total Highway Rehabilitation 108,536,895 2,817,712 111,354,607 10.34 3. Highway Capital Construction - Non-Recoverable Minor Highway Capital Construction 1,400,856 1,400,856 0.13 - Recoverable Minor Highway Capital Construction 135,278,562 135,278,562 12.56 - Recoverable Major Highway Capital Construction: Fraser River Crossing and Connectors 11,652,037 11,652,037 1.08 Lions Gate Crossing 752,665 752,665 0.07 Vancouver Island Highway 208,460,251 208,460,251 19.36 Duke Point Access Road 12,534,654 12,534,654 1.16 Sea-to-Sky Highway 3,300 3,300 0.00 Trans-Canada Highway - Lower Mainland Section 3,020,926 3,020,926 0.28 Highway #97 - Okanagan 3,110,751 3,110,751 0.29 Barnet/Hastings Corridor 27,940,528 27,940,528 2.59 Total Highway Capital Construction 1,400,856 402,753,674 404,154,529 37.53 4. Highway Operations 45,923,546 210,905 46,134,450 4.28 5. Administration & Support Services 35,173,187 35,173,187 3.27 (including Minister’s Office) 6. Planning, Policy and Major Projects 9,405,725 25,000 9,430,725 0.88 7. Motor Vehicles 65,450,891 14,336,554 79,787,445 7.41 8. Motor Carrier Commission 775,218 775,218 0.07 9. Statutory Accounts - F.A.A. Section 11 Collection Management 8,955,544 8,955,544 0.83 - F.A.A. Section 14 Write-Offs Bad Debts 3,551,666 3,551,666 0.33 - Physical Assets (2,272,536) (2,272,536) -0.21 - Depreciation Expense 1,116,958 1,116,958 0.10 Total Statutory Accounts 11,351,632 11,351,632 1.05

Total Ministry 656,740,520 420,173,526 1,076,914,046 100.00

1. Other funding sources include the Transportation Finance Authority (TFA), the Strategic Highway Improvement Program (SHIP), Municipal Urban Renewal Program (MURP) contributions from municipalities and F.A.A. Section 22 contributions from Third Parties.

48 How The Transportation And Highways Dollar Was Spent April 1,1995 to March 31, 1996

Statutory Accounts $11,351,632 (1%) Motor Carrier Commission $775,218 (0.07%)

Highway Maintenance Motor Vehicles Branch $378,752,251 (35%) $79,787,445 (7%)

Planning, Policy and Major Projects Highway Rehabilitation $9,430,725 (1%) $111,354,607 (10%) Administration and Support (includes Minister’s office) Highway Capital Construction $35,173,187 (3%) $404,154,529 (38%)

Highway Operations $46,134,450 (4%)

49 Expenditures by Appropriation April 1, 1995 to March 31, 1996 Budget Other Total Actual Vote Description Estimates Reallocations Authorizations Appropriations Expenditures

58 Minister’s Office 432,000 432,000 431,181 59 Ministry Operations 673,011,000 673,011,000 644,957,707 Statutory: - Collection Management 8,955,544 8,955,544 8,955,544 - Write-offs/Bad Debts 3,551,348 3,551,348 3,551,348 - Valuation Allowance a 2,400,000 2,400,000 318 Physical Assets (2,272,536) (2,272,536) (2,272,536) Depreciation Expense 1,116,958 1,116,958 1,116,958 Total Voted Appropriations 675,843,000 0 11,351,314 687,194,314 656,740,520 Funding Provided by the TFA. b 393,147,006 Funding Provided by the Federal Gov’t (SHIP) c 6,705,370 Funding Provided by Municipalities d 1,782,858 Other Third Party Funding (F.A.A. Section 22) e 18,538,292 Total Highways Expenditures 1,076,914,046

Notes: a Valuation Allowance as determined by OCG. Mission Bypass Planning Study 54,000 b ‘TFA’ denotes ‘Transportation Financing Authority’. Cedar Creek Bridge 15,000 c ‘SHIP’ denotes ‘Strategic Highways Improvement Canada Way Corridor 329,500 Program’. Admirals & Hallowell Signal 16,422 d Municipal Recoveries for Urban Renewal. Wildlife Warning Signs Driver Questionnaire 8,676 Intersection Upgrades (Lower Mainland) 196,931 e ‘F.A.A. Section 22’ denotes Section 22 of the Financial 1995 Road Sense Program Road Improvements 463,750 Administration Act which allows for contribution Road Reporting 1-900 Number 67,904 payments from third party sources. Highway 19 at Aulds Road 2,920 F.A.A. Section 22 Expenditures were as follows: Route 1 Beverly Street, North Cowichan 5,000 Highway 97 Lighting Installation 133,886 Commercial Vehicle Roadside Survey 7,000 Highway 19/Turner Road, Nanaimo 25,000 Highway #97 & Burtch Road, Trans Canada Highway/Herd Road, Duncan 2,833 Electrical Work, Kelowna 34,490 Mount Currie Paving Project 713,000 Agassiz Bypass Study 10,200 Ryan and Lerwick Road, Courtenay 37,396 Heavy Vehicle Electronic License Plate Project 38,433 Highway 19 at Stanhope Road, Parksville 17,447 Millstream Peat Excavation VIHP (2304) 138,282 Site Investigation for Regional Office, Kamloops 9,626 Highway 19 at Drew/Johnston Roads 4,014 Highway 101/Cowrie and Wharf Intersection 19,219 Highway 19 at Franklin Gulls Road 1,352 Gold River Upper Bridge Sidewalk 90,000 Shuswap Lake Crossing Study 25,000 Yellowhead Bridge Landscaping 27,268 Town of Quallicum Beach, VIHP 340,000 Traffic Safety Agenda 14,329,554 North Road, Gabriola Island 6,329 Gibsons Bypass & Langdale Ferry Expansion 953,733 Helmcken Road Upgrade, VIHP 289,953 Highway 97 and 4th Avenue Paving 5,641 Sechelt Bypass Study 22,064 Highway 3 Traffic Signal Installation 18,884 Sign Shop Recovery 8,527 Traffic Controller Alpine Way at Highway 99 14,072 Nordel and Cloverdale Yardsites 24,041 Highway 95 Pedestrian Crossing at Park Drive 27,570 Total 18,538,292 Installation of Left Turn Arrow at Beacon Drive, Sidney 3,375

50 Revenues By Source April 1, 1995 to March 31, 1996 Actual $

Social Services Tax 545,791 Motor Vehicle Licences and Permits Motor Vehicle Act Licences and Permits 188,571,568 Commercial Transport Act - Licences and Permits 121,320,033 Motor Vehicle (All Terrain) Act - Permits 38,583 Motor Carrier Act - Licences and Permits 7,808,811 Interest on MVB Accounts Receivable 80,693 Total Motor Vehicle Licences and Permits 317,819,688 Coquihalla Highways Tolls Coquihalla Highway Tolls - Canadian Currency 37,173,782 Coquihalla Highway Tolls - U.S. Currency 396,348 Total Coquihalla Highways Tolls 37,570,130 Other Fees and Licences Miscellaneous: NOTE: Miscellaneous Sales 1,027,803 Revenues shown reflect Fees, Permits, and Licences 484,229 Ministry of Transportation Contract Document Sales 143,210 and Highways receipts only. Information in the Rentals - Sundry Licences & Permits 3,614 Public Accounts will Total Miscellaneous 1,658,856 contain revenue from all Vehicle Emission Test Fees 572,085 ministries, particularly in Total Other Fees and Licences 2,230,940 the case of “Miscellaneous” Interest From Investments - Foreign Exchange 319,316 receipts. Miscellaneous Violation Fines/Penalties 66,364,481 Insurance Claim Receipts 262,720 Other Miscellaneous: Misc. Revenue - A/A Commission Recoveries 2,213,908 Dishonoured Cheque Service Fee 64,213 Miscellaneous Receipts - Highways 1,265,656 Miscellaneous Receipts - M.C.C. 15,950 Street Lighting 865,575 Salary Recoveries 1,639 Recovery of Prior Years’ Expenditures 2,583,295 Total Other Miscellaneous 7,010,235 Total Miscellaneous 73,637,436 Total Revenue: 432,123,302

51 Expenditures by Responsibility Centre April 1,1995 to March 31, 1996

Total Voted TFA a FAA S22 b S.H.I.P. c Municipal d Responsibility Centre (Region/District/Branch) Expenditures Funded Funded Funded Urban Renewal Total

Region 1 - South Coast South Coast Regional Office 38,630,435 56,051,430 1,844,942 817,464 97,344,271 Howe Sound District 13,872,089 33,291 13,905,380 Sunshine Coast Contract Area 3,531,174 3,531,174 Lower Mainland District 20,606,798 966,841 526,431 22,100,071 Fraser Valley District 16,974,799 16,974,799 Electrical District 4,863,216 4,863,216 Director, Barnet/Hastings Corridor 27,940,528 27,940,528 Total Region 1 - South Coast 98,478,513 84,958,799 2,404,664 817,464 0 186,659,439 Region 2 - Thompson-Okanagan Thompson-Okanagan Regional Office 19,233,305 8,729,463 58,285 2,825,343 275,255 31,121,651 South Okanagan District 19,500,885 19,500,885 Okanagan-Shuswap District 16,630,509 16,630,509 Nicola District 16,344,800 16,344,800 Thompson District 13,204,021 13,204,021 South Cariboo District 15,841,231 15,841,231 Total Region 2 - Thompson-Okanagan 100,754,751 8,729,463 58,285 2,825,343 275,255 112,643,097 Region 3 - Kootenays Kootenays Regional Office 13,381,010 6,284,993 1,798,076 21,464,079 Kootenay Boundary District 13,670,820 18,884 13,689,704 Central Kootenay District 19,349,130 349,789 15,000 19,713,919 East Kootenay District 15,537,799 3,638,988 19,176,786 Selkirk District 13,099,828 27,570 13,127,398 Total Region 3 - Kootenays 75,038,587 10,273,770 61,454 1,798,076 0 87,171,887 Region 4 - Central/North East Central/North East Regional Office 20,033,199 16,698,797 98,866 36,830,863 Central Cariboo District 14,036,509 133,886 14,170,396 North Cariboo District 13,620,345 13,620,345 Fort George District 15,898,791 27,268 15,926,058 Robson District 8,308,564 8,308,564 South Peace District 16,406,396 16,406,396 North Peace District 16,028,648 16,028,648 Nechako District 9,262,701 9,262,701 Total Region 4 - Central/North East 113,595,154 16,698,797 161,154 98,866 0 130,553,971

Continued opposite

52 Expenditures by Responsibility Centre (continued)

Total Voted TFA a FAA S22 b S.H.I.P. c Municipal d Responsibility Centre (Region/District/Branch) Expenditures Funded Funded Funded Urban Renewal Total

Region 5 - North West North West Regional Office 11,082,012 10,542,625 21,624,637 Lakes District 8,003,301 8,003,301 Bulkley Nass District 13,382,687 13,382,687 Skeena District 7,901,528 7,901,528 North Coast Contract Area 3,398,349 3,398,349 Stikine District 11,981,662 11,981,662 Total Region 5 - North West 55,749,539 10,542,625 0 0 0 66,292,163 Region 6 - Vancouver Island Vancouver Island Regional Office 12,340,280 18,876,560 157,396 313,040 31,687,275 South Island District 13,496,653 22,630 13,519,282 Central Island District 12,313,655 32,062 12,345,717 North Island District 15,007,527 231,704 15,239,231 Total Region 6 - Vancouver Island 53,158,114 19,108,264 212,087 313,040 0 72,791,505

Total Regions/Districts 496,774,656 150,311,718 2,897,644 5,852,789 275,255 656,112,062

Minister’s Office 431,181 0 0 0 0 431,181

Executive Deputy Minister 750,078 750,078 Internal Audit 597,769 597,769 Director, Public Affairs 1,112,295 1,112,295 Strategic Planning Initiative 234,709 234,709 Total Executive 2,694,850 0 0 0 0 2,694,850 Administrative Services Department ADM, Administrative Services 361,115 361,115 Director, Finance and Administration 13,714,542 17,100,000 e 30,814,542 Employee Leave Liability 1,175,523 1,175,523 Director, Freedom of Information and Privacy 729,900 729,900 Director, Information Systems 15,752,139 15,752,139 Director, Personnel Programs 3,685,002 3,685,002 Total Administrative Services Department 35,418,222 17,100,000 0 0 0 52,518,222

Continued on next page

53 Expenditures by Responsibility Centre (continued)

Total Voted TFA a FAA S22 b S.H.I.P. c Municipal d Responsibility Centre (Region/District/Branch) Expenditures Funded Funded Funded Urban Renewal Total

Planning And Major Projects Department ADM, Planning and Major Projects 315,163 315,163 Senior Policy Advisor 384,549 384,549 Director, Planning Services 2,953,420 2,953,420 Director, Highway Planning 2,059,869 1,074,351 25,000 7,943 3,167,164 - Municipal Contributions 694,517 694,517 Manager, Fin & Admin, Planning/Major Projects 220,170 220,170 Director, Highway #97 - Okanagan 224,616 2,266,113 844,638 3,335,367 Director, Cassiar Connector 61,796 61,796 Director, Vancouver Island Highway 208,473,499 768,235 209,241,734 Director, Fraser River Crossing & Connectors 371,412 11,652,037 12,023,449 Director, Sea to Sky Highway 14,112 3,300 17,412 Director, TCH - Lower Mainland Section 3,020,926 3,020,926 Director, Second Narrows Bridge 869 869 Director, Lions Gate Bridge 752,665 752,665 Total Planning And Major Projects Dept. 7,300,494 227,242,891 793,235 852,581 0 236,189,201 Highway Operations Department ADM, Highways Operations 518,714 518,714 TFA Recovery - Program Support (17,100,000) (17,100,000) Recoveries for Urban Renewal (1,507,603) 1,507,603 0 Chief Highway Engineer 571,888 571,888 Director, Aboriginal Relations 1,627,241 1,627,241 Director, Bridge Engineering 2,682,138 2,682,138 Director, Construction Engineering 2,227,402 2,227,402 Director, Geotech. & Materials Engineering 1,945,436 1,945,436 Director, Highway Engineering 10,493,765 38,433 10,532,198 Director, Highway Environment 1,985,713 8,676 1,994,389 Director, Highway Safety 757,632 463,750 1,221,382 Director, Properties 724,867 724,867 Director, Maintenance 14,275,291 14,275,291 Director, Marine 15,958,048 15,958,048 Total Highway Operations Department 36,668,135 (1,507,603) 510,859 0 1,507,603 37,178,995

Total Headquarters 82,512,882 242,835,288 1,304,094 852,581 1,507,603 329,012,448

Continued opposite

54 Expenditures by Responsibility Centre (continued)

Total Voted TFA a FAA S22 b S.H.I.P. c Municipal d Responsibility Centre (Region/District/Branch) Expenditures Funded Funded Funded Urban Renewal Total

Motor Carrier Commission - Motor Carrier Commission 564,390 564,390 - Reconsideration Process 208,944 208,944 Total Motor Carrier Commission 773,335 0 0 0 0 773,335 Motor Vehicle Branch - ADM, Motor Vehicle Branch 288,613 288,613 - Management Services 11,495,818 11,495,818 - Planning and Corporate Development 1,048,744 1,048,744 - Information Technology 9,458,277 9,458,277 - Policy and Program Development 3,215,657 3,215,657 - Head Office Operations 7,747,602 7,747,602 - Traffic Safety Initiative 8,157,580 14,329,554 22,487,134 - Region #1 - Vancouver Island 2,987,321 7,000 2,994,321 - Region #2 - Lwr Mainland/Fraser Vly 11,342,162 11,342,162 - Region #3 - Interior 5,085,570 5,085,570 - Region #4 - Northern 4,500,675 4,500,675 Total Motor Vehicle Branch 65,328,016 0 14,336,554 0 0 79,664,570 Statutory Accounts - F.A.A. Section 14 - Write-off Bad Debts 3,551,666 3,551,666 - F.A.A. Section 11 Commission Fees 8,955,544 8,955,544 - Capital Asset Transer to Asset (1,957,536) (1,957,536) - Capital Asset Transfer to Asset-MVB (315,000) (315,000) - Amortization Expense 1,009,833 1,009,833 - MVB Amortization Expense 107,125 107,125 Total Statutory Accounts 11,351,632 0 0 0 0 11,351,632

Total Ministry Expenditures 656,740,520 393,147,006 18,538,292 6,705,370 1,782,858 1,076,914,046

Notes: a TFA - denotes Transportation Financing Authority. b F.A.A. S22 - denotes contributions from Third Parties. c S.H.I.P. - denotes the Strategic Highway Improvement Program funded by the Federal Government. d Municipal Urban Renewal denotes contributions from municipalities for urban renewal. e $17,100,000 represents the overhead costs in support of TFA projects during 1995/96. The full amount was deemed recoverable from the TFA.

55 Expenditures on Major Projects April 1, 1995 to March 31, 1996

Previous 1995/96 1995/96 1995/96 Total Fiscal Years’ Voted a Funding Third Party Project Project Description Expenditures Expenditures from TFA b Contributions Expenditures

Fraser River Crossing & Connectors 479.814 0.371 11.652 491.837 Vancouver Island Highway 410.736 207.692 0.768 c 619.196 Duke Point Access Road 12.535 12.535 Cassiar Connector 120.823 0.062 120.885 Sea-to-Sky Highway 10.882 0.014 0.003 10.899 Trans-Canada Hwy - Lwr Mainland 13.720 3.021 16.741 Highway #97 - Okanagan 79.270 0.225 2.266 0.845 d 82.606 Barnet/Hastings Corridor 62.311 27.941 90.252 Lions Gate Crossing 1.672 0.753 2.425 Total 1,179.228 0.672 265.863 1.613 1,447.376

NOTES: a Represents project costs which are non-recoverable from the Transportation Financing Authority, such as land acquisitions, and construction claims prior to funding from the TFA. b Funding was provided by the Transportation Financing Authority. c The Financial Administration Act - Section 22 allows for contribution payment from Third Party Sources. In fiscal 1995/96 $340,000 was received from the Town of Qualicum Beach, and $428,235 was received from the Greater Victoria Water District. d $844,638 was provided for by the Federal Government Strategic Highway Improvement Program.

Expenditures on Fresh Water Ferries Maintenance and Operations, April 1, 1995 to March 31, 1996

Name of Ferry Total Expenditures Name of Ferry Total Expenditures

Adams Lake Ferry 265,603 Lytton Ferry 314,154 Albion - Fort Langley Ferry 3,457,548 Little Fort Ferry 104,024 Arrow Park Ferry 63,567 Marguerite Ferry 112,264 Barnston Island Ferry 537,220 McLure Ferry 79,057 Big Bar Ferry 134,503 Needles - Fauquier Ferry 129,894 Francois Lake Ferry 2,153,454 Upper Arrow Lakes Ferry 3,661,672 Glade Ferry 53,121 Usk Ferry 199,363 Harrop Ferry 87,545 Total Ferry Maintenance And Operations 15,054,475 Kootenay Lake Ferry 3,701,486

56 Expenditures on Highway Maintenance April 1, 1995 to March 31, 1996

Additional & Payments To Emergency Contract Road & Bridge Payments To District Area Contractors Contractors Operations Total

1. South Island 10,488,036 73,784 1,564,902 12,126,722 2. Nanaimo 9,208,287 1,803,993 11,012,280 3. Courtenay 12,286,427 116,697 1,666,451 14,069,575 4. North Vancouver 10,004,370 586,602 1,881,821 12,472,792 5. Gibsons 3,386,820 3,386,820 6. New Westminster 15,426,500 2,083,203 17,509,703 7. Chilliwack 13,932,386 65,972 1,637,624 15,635,982 8. Penticton-Kelowna 14,731,967 2,198,232 16,930,199 9. Grand Forks-Rossland 11,017,615 1,594,681 12,612,296 10. Nelson-Creston-New Denver 15,623,000 2,272,280 17,895,280 11. Cranbrook-Fernie 10,730,558 1,333,272 12,063,830 12. Revelstoke-Golden 9,901,572 2,030,405 11,931,978 13. Vernon-Salmon Arm 13,300,806 1,967,699 15,268,505 14. Merritt 12,976,187 1,841,701 14,817,888 15. Kamloops 9,811,015 57,551 1,565,308 11,433,875 16. 100 Mile House-Lillooet 12,019,716 1,785,771 13,805,487 17. Williams Lake 10,734,016 1,214,633 11,948,649 18. Quesnel 10,537,500 1,291,746 11,829,246 19. Prince George 13,650,000 1,570,742 15,220,742 20. McBride 6,309,025 937,731 7,246,756 21. Dawson Creek 13,191,043 1,713,415 14,904,458 22. Fort St. John 11,902,677 1,459,464 13,362,141 23. Vanderhoof 7,365,573 1,021,161 8,386,734 24. Burns Lake 6,098,666 876,713 6,975,378 25. Smithers 11,079,022 1,401,770 12,480,791 26. Terrace 6,042,000 1,382,532 7,424,532 27. Prince Rupert 3,306,417 7,802 3,314,218 28. Dease Lake 9,353,475 1,362,971 10,716,447 Sub-Total District Contract Areas 294,414,676 900,606 41,468,021 336,783,303 Headquarters Road And Bridge Maintenance Activities 12,579,262 Headquarters Ferry Maintenance And Operations ** 15,005,369 Electrical Maintenance Activities 4,003,626 Regional Maintenance Activities 10,351,009 Ministry 1995/96 Hwy Maintenance Expenditures 378,722,569 Third Party Contributions - F.A.A. Section 22 Expenditures 29,682 Total 1995/96 Hwy Maintenance Expenditures 378,752,251

Notes: * District Operations is comprised of District Office Expenditures and grants to ski hills. ** With the exception of contract areas 14, 15, 16, 18, and 26, all fresh water ferry expenditures were incurred by headquarters ferry maintenance and operations. 57 58 59 Appendix 1 Road and Bridge Work Provincial Totals Fiscal 1995-96 Description Quantity Units

New Infrastructure Added New freeway 341 lane km New four-lane divided highway 169.48 lane km New four-lane undivided highway 88.3 lane km New two-lane highway 184.38 lane km New gravel road 0 lane km New curb and gutter 36.0 km New bridge projects 48

Rehabilitation Bridges rehabilitated 29 Resurfaced paved roads (recycled) 513.96 lane km Resurfaced paved roads (new asphalt) 423.68 lane km Numbered routes sealcoated 761.96 lane km Traffic Signal Controllers Installed 77 Road realigned/reconstructed 29.5 km Major gravelling 485,788.81 m3 Side roads: sealcoated 202.34 km Side roads paved 94.27 lane km Rest Area Improvement Projects 14

Construction Projects - greater than $200,000 Clearing and grubbing 595.99 ha Excavation - rock 1,430,961 m3 Excavation - other materials 5,499,622 m3 Granular sub-base and base course 2,906,263 tonne Asphaltic concrete 621,289 tonne Number of Construction Contracts 32 Number of Construction Projects 67 Major project designs completed 22 Fiscal year construction value $183,627,181

Development Approvals Functions (unorganized areas) Rezoning applications approved 1,022 Subdivisions receiving final approval 1,182 Subdivisions receiving PLA 1,603 Utility permits issued 6,148 Access permits issued 4,431

60 Appendix 2 Bridge Rehabilitation Projects % Project Name Location Completed Type, Description, Remarks

Region 1: South Coast Pattullo Bridge Hwy 1A/99A 100 Roadway/Navigation lighting rehab Fraser Hope Bridge Hwy 1, Hope 95 Included widening of deck Oak Street Bridge Vancouver 100 Deck rehabilitation and resurfacing Lions Gate Bridge Vancouver 100 Selective replacement sidewalk/stringers Silver Skagit Bridge Upper Fraser Valley 100 Deck restoration and repair (P.E.P.) BC Rail Overhead Pemberton 100 Erect Acrow bridge for community access Deroche Bridge Deroche 100 Replace timber pile caps Silver Creek Bridge Silver Creek, Mission 30 Repair caps, shear key Ironworkers Memorial Bridge Second Narrows, Van. 5 Preliminary investigation, design, etc. Four Overhead Bridges Westport, Montizambert, 100 Resurfacing concrete bridge decks Charles Creek, Lake City

Region 2: Thompson-Okanagan Whipsaw Creek Bridge Hwy 3, Princeton 100 Widen deck and strengthen structure Collettville Bridge Coldwater River, Merritt 100 Replace old timber bridge

Region 3: Kootenays Boundary Falls Bridge 8 km W of Greenwood 100 Widen and install parapets Beaver Creek #9 5 km S of Trail 100 Install parapet, repair rails Cedar Creek #5 Winlaw 100 Rebuild log stringer bridge Lyle Creek Bridge Hwy 31A, near Kaslo 100 Replace timber superstructure Ymir Bridge Nelson-Salmo road 100 Replace cross ties, deck, railing Yoho Bridge Hwy 1 E of Golden 100 Resurface bridge deck St. Mary’s River Bridge Mission Road 99 Replaced with concrete stringer bridge Bontron Foot Bridge N of Edgewood 100 Replaced with re-galvanized Bailey bridge Bird Creek Blewett, S of Nelson 100 Replaced with steel box culvert Leet Bridge Kaslo Back Road 100 Replaced with multiplate culvert Hospital Creek Bridge Golden Donald Upper Rd 100 Replaced log stringer with concrete stringer

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61 Appendix 2 (continued)

% Project Name Location Completed Type, Description, Remarks

Region 5: North West Nadina Bridge Burns Lake 100 Improve grade, pave bridge Day Lake Bridge Burns Lake 100 Replace structure Carlson Bridge Smithers 100 Replace structure Rufus Creek Stewart 100 Replace Bailey bridge with multiplate culvert Delkatla Causeway Queen Charlotte Islands 100 Pave approaches to complete project Skully Creek Hwy 37 S of Terrace 50 Design & channel work to mitigate flooding

Region 6: Vancouver Island York Bridge York Rd, Campbell River 100 Replace deteriorated timber Taylor River Bridge Hwy 4 100 Replace deteriorated timber Gold River Upper Bridge Gold River 100 Sidewalk addition Harris Cove Bridge Port Renfrew 100 Reconstruction Meade Creek Bridge Port Hardy 100 Replace deteriorated timber

62 Appendix 3 Region Highway Construction Projects

Location and Description Length (km) % Completed

Region 1: South Coast Mary Hill Bypass, Port Coquitlam, upgrade to 4-lane 3.34 54 Broadway Connector, Burnaby, upgrade to 4-lane 1.60 65 Petro Canada to St. Johns, Hwy 7A, 4-lane plus HOV lanes 3.80 85 Texaco to Petro Canada, Hwy 7A, 4-lane plus HOV lanes 2.50 100 Inlet Drive, Hwy 7A, 4-lane plus HOV lanes 1.10 100 Johnson-Mariner Connector, Coquitlam, design/build new 4-lane 1.30 100 Gibsons Bypass, Sunshine Coast, completion 1.80 100 Westview Interchange, Hwy 1, North Vancouver, design/build 1.70 40 Hwy 99 at Industrial/Finch, Squamish, intersection and 4-lane 0.80 100 Hwy 99 Bus Lane, Delta, new HOV lane 4.30 100 Hastings/Gaglardi, Burnaby, connect two provincial roadways 1.80 65

Region 2: Thompson-Okanagan Sonora Rd to Monte Creek Rd, Hwy 1, E of Kamloops, new freeway 3.12 46 Hwy 1, Pritchard, construct two passing lanes 2.50 100

Region 3: Kootenays Hwy 1, Park Gate, E of Revelstoke, realign and 4-lane 2.50 65 Hwy 3A, Brilliant Intersection, Castlegar, realign, improve intersection 4.70 100

Region 4: Central-North East Hwy 97, Bijoux Falls to Azouzetta Lake, Pine Pass, construct 2-lane 9.50 50 Colebank Rd to Woodpecker, S of Prince George, passing lanes 4.10 100 Beatton River Crossing, E of Fort St John, new 2-lane route 10.00 50

Region 5: North West Ninth Ave to Gowan Rd, Burns Lake, new 2-lane road 0.68 100 Walkers Corner, Bulkley Nass District, new 2-lane road 1.00 100 Hwy 37, Bulkley Nass District, new 2-lane alignment 9.77 55 Hwy 16, Atrills Hill, Bulkley Nass District, new 2-lane alignment 1.88 80

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63 Appendix 3 (continued)

% Location and Description Length (km) Completed

Region 6: Vancouver Island Duke Point Hwy, Nanaimo, new 4-lane undivided highway 6.30 35 Mt Washington Rd, Courtenay, new 2-lane road 16.00 30 Lerwick Rd Connection, Courtenay-Comox, new 2-lane road 0.13 100 Hwy 19, Courtenay, new 2-lane road 0.36 100 Region 6: Vancouver Island - Vancouver Island Highway Project Hwy 1, Helmcken Rd to Spencer Rd, new freeway 7.80 65 Inland Island Highway, Parksville to Mud Bay, new freeway 45.00 85 Inland Island Highway, Campbell River Bypass, new freeway 22.00 25 Goldstream-Nanaimo, Stocking Creek-Transfer Beach, new 4-lane 100 Nanaimo Parkway, Cedar Rd to Superior Rd, new 4-lane divided 20.00 65

64 Appendix 4 New Bridge Projects

% Project Name Location Completed

Region 1: South Coast Hemlock Valley Bridge Hemlock Valley Road 64 Pallot Bridge No. 1 Pitt Meadows 100 Mosquito Creek Bridge North Vancouver 100 Westview Overpass North Vancouver 50 Edgemont Overpass North Vancouver 100 Jones Ave Pedestrian Overpass North Vancouver 100 Johnson-Mariner Overhead Coquitlam 100 Broadway Bridge No. 2022 Burnaby 30

Region 5: North West Gitwinksihilw Bridge Gitwinksihilw 100

Region 6: Vancouver Island Pedestrian Overpass on Hwy 19 Nanoose Bay 100 Mount Newton Pedestrian Overpass Saanich 100

Vancouver Island Highway Project Talcott Rd on Hwy 1 Victoria 90 Watkiss Way on Hwy 1 Victoria 90 West Burnside Rd on Hwy 1 Victoria 90 Cranberry Overhead Nanaimo Parkway 90 Cranberry Flyover Nanaimo Parkway 90 Cranberry Overpass Nanaimo Parkway 90 Beck Creek Nanaimo Parkway 90 Cedar Road Nanaimo Parkway 90 Millstone River Nanaimo Parkway 80

Continued on next page

65 Appendix 4 (continued)

% Project Name Location Completed

Vancouver Island Highway Project (continued) Harewood Mines Rd Nanaimo Parkway 75 Nanaimo Lakes Rd Nanaimo Parkway 80 East Wellington Rd Nanaimo Parkway 100 Craig’s Crossing on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 60 Highway 4A on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 100 Corcan Road on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 100 Kinkade Creek on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 100 Big Qualicum River on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 90 Nile Creek on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 90 Cochrane Road on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 100 Cook Creek on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 85 Thames Creek on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 100 Chef Creek on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 100 Rosewell Creek on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 100 McNaughton Creek on IIH Parksville to Mud Bay 100

66 Appendix 5 Geotechnical and Materials Projects

Description Quantity Geotechnical Drilling - diamond drill & auger rig 9207 m Horizontal Drains instal(m) 1091 m Rock Slope Stabilization - Contract & MTH crews 24 Geophysical surveys(projects) 38 New Product Evaluations(number) 93 Pavement Evaluations(number) 39 Highway Design Evaluations(number) 58 Stability Investigations(number) 54 Contaminated Site investigations 41 Bridge Foundation and Seismic Investigations 46 Number of aggregate investigations 179 Subdivision Referal investigations 14

Appendix 6 Highway Environment Projects

Description Quantity Contaminated Site assessments - projects funded 35 Archaeological/heritage site assessments 8 Environmental site audits per Section 35 Land Transfer 6 Environmental assessments Ð Stategic Highway Improvement Program 2 Quality Assurance projects 21 Environmental research projects 8 Environmental management systems initiatives 2 Socio-community/economic studies 8 Fisheries/Wildlife assessment studies 12

67 Appendix 7 Maintenance Contracts by Service Area 1988-91 1991-94 1994-95 Service Area Contractor Contracts Contracts Contracts South Island Victoria Highway Maintenance Corp. $30,397,000 $32,630,056 $10,607,301 Central Island Island Highway Services Ltd. $23,254,000 $26,575,000 $9,160,716 North Island Island Highway Services Ltd. $27,210,000 $27,655,728 $11,814,723 Howe Sound Capilano Highway Services Co. $22,393,000 $24,017,061 $10,045,066 Sunshine Coast Capilano Highway Services Co. $ 8,529,000 Coastal Roads (A division of Interior Roads Ltd.) $ 7,000,000 $3,379,224 Lower Mainland Mainroad Contracting Ltd. $41,058,000 $36,731,888 $15,397,600 Fraser Valley Gateway Highway Maintenance Ltd. $33,289,000 Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd. $31,140,056 $13,938,702 South Okanagan Midvalley Highway Maintenance Inc. $35,201,000 O.K. Road Maintenance Inc. $35,960,557 $1,238,000 Bel Maintenance Inc. $13,147,884 Kootenay Boundary Bel Maintenance Inc. $26,842,000 Emcon Service Inc. $25,000,000 $10,068,032 Central Kootenay Bel Maintenance Inc. $39,856,000 $39,900,000 $15,187,936 East Kootenay Trendline Industries Ltd. $28,896,000 Bel Maintenance Inc. $29,990,000 $9,582,326 Selkirk Bel Maintenance Inc. $25,255,000 VSA Highway Maintenance Ltd. $24,259,558 $9,545,450 Okanagan-Shuswap VSA Highway Maintenance Ltd. $37,068,000 Emcon Service Inc. $31,964,444 $13,300,000 Nicola Emcon Services Inc. $30,620,000 $33,700,000 $13,011,555 Thompson Interior Roads Ltd. $27,618,000 Whiteline Road Maintenance Ltd. $22,946,137 $9,482,268 South Cariboo Interior Roads Ltd. $32,219,000 $2,090,503 Whiteline Road Maintenance Ltd. $31,082,791 $10,584,028 Caribou Road Services Ltd. Central Cariboo Caribou Road Services Ltd. $29,811,000 $27,900,000 $10,718,025 North Cariboo Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd. $26,329,000 Argo Road Maintenance Inc. $30,800,000 $10,493,735 Fort George Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd. $36,565,000 Argo Road Maintenance Inc. $34,352,000 $13,570,044 Robson Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd. $16,781,000 Interior Roads Ltd. $16,400,000 $6,244,004 South Peace Peace Country Maintenance Ltd. $36,737,000 $34,200,000 $13,176,784 North Peace Northland Road Services $30,688,000 $30,300,000 $11,898,266 Nechako Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd. $19,760,000 $18,200,000 $7,354,006 Lakes Lakes District Maintenance Ltd. $16,388,000 $16,480,487 $5,905,654 Bulkley Nass Nechako Northcoast Const. Services $30,146,000 Bulkley Valley Maintenance Ltd. $29,919,395 $3,963,395 Interior Roads Ltd. $1,944,571 2891 Ventures $4,379,032 Skeena North Coast Road Maintenance Ltd. $11,726,000 Nechako Northcoast Const. Services $13,700,000 $6,0360542

Northcoast O’Brien Road and Bridge Maintenance Ltd. $ 7,421,000 $ 6,595,000 $2,895,690 Stikine NorRoadco Enterprises Ltd. $23,905,000 Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd. $21,655,000 $9,144,390 TOTALS $755,962,000 $741,055,158 $289,305,452

68 Appendix 7 (continued) Round IV Maintenance Contracts Round IV road and bridge maintenance contracts (1995-2001) are for a 4Ð5 year contract term. Proponents submitting proposals were instructed to submit a price for the first year of the contract term only. This round of contracts includes an annual adjustment process to the contract price based on a number of maintenance factors, plus changes in price indices for labour, fuel and non-residential construction, that would be applied on each anniversary date of the contract term. 1st Year Service Area Contractor Contract Term Contract Price South Island JJM Maintenance Ltd. Sept 20/96-Sept 19/2001 $11,010,000 Central Island Mainroad Mid-Island Contracting Ltd. Sept 13/95-Sept 12/2000 $9,287,000 North Island Mainroad North Island Contracting Ltd. Sept 8/95-March 7/2000 $12,459,864 Howe Sound Capilano Highway Services Company Oct 26/95-Oct 25/2000 $10,173,000 Sunshine Coast Emcon Services Inc. Apr 19/96-Apr 18/2001 $3,498,000 Lower Mainland Mainroad Contracting Ltd. March15/96-March 14/2001 $16,030,000 Fraser Valley Emil Anderson Maintenance Co. June 21/96- June 20/2001 $14,593,113.98 South Okanagan Argo Road Maintenance Ltd. May 10/96-May 9/2001 $14,360,000 Kootenay Boundary Emcon Services Inc. Oct 2/95-Oct 1/2000 $11,123,640 Central Kootenay VSA Highway Maintenance Ltd. June 2/96-June1/2001 $16,225,000 East Kootenay Northland Road Services Ltd. Aug 23/96- Aug 22/2001 $10,953,336 Selkirk VSA Highway Maintenance Ltd. Oct 19/95-Oct 18/2000 $10,100,000 Okanagan-Shuswap Emcon Services Inc. March 29/96 -March 28/2001 $13,400,000 Nicola HMC Services Inc. June 28/96-June27/2001 $12,950,575 Thompson Argo Road Maintenance (Thompson) Inc. Sept 22/95-March 21/2000 $10,000,000 South Cariboo Interior Roads Ltd. June 14/96 -June13/2001 $13,100,040 Central Cariboo Caribou Road Services Ltd. July 5/96-July 4/2001 $11,000,019 North Cariboo Argo Road Maintenance Ltd. July8/96-July7/2001 $10,853,858 Fort George Yellowhead Road & Bridge Ltd. May 24/96 -May 23/2001 $13,378,732 Robson Northland Road Services Ltd. August 15/96- August14/2001 $6,360,000 South Peace Peace Country Maintenance Ltd. July 26/96- July25/2001 $13,660,000 North Peace Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd. May 17/96- May 16/2001 $12,450,000 Nechako Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd. May 3/96- May 2/2001 $7,600,000 Lakes Nechako Northcoast Construction Burns Lake Sept 6/95-Sept 5/2000 $6,250,000 Bulkley Nass Lakes District Maintenance Ltd. Oct 3/96-Oct 2/2001 $10,640,000 Skeena Nechako Northcoast Construction April 12/96- April 11/2001 $6,375,000 North Coast O’Brien Road & Bridge Maintenance Ltd. Oct 12/95-Oct 11/2000 $3,304,295 Stikine Peace Country Maintenance Ltd. July 19/96- July 18/2001 $9,700,000

TOTAL $300,835,473

69 Appendix 8 Insurance Corporation of British Columbia

Corporate Profile

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia is a provincial Crown corporation established in 1973 to provide universal auto insurance to British Columbia motorists. All motorists in B.C. are required to buy a basic package of ICBC Autoplan insurance, which includes accident benefits, third-party legal liability protection and underinsured motorist protection. The corporation competes with other carriers by offering extended third-party legal liability and other optional insurance coverage. Unlike other carriers, the corporation operates on a non-profit, break-even mandate. Premiums are set without discrimination on the basis of age, sex or marital status. The revenue from more than two million motorists is invested to provide benefits for clients and victims of crashes. Discounted rates are offered to motorists who remain claim-free and surcharges are applied to motorists with at-fault claims. Additional benefits were introduced in 1995 for RoadStars — motorists who have maintained an ICBC 40-per-cent discount for more than five consecutive years. These benefits included discount protection which allows RoadStars to keep their 40-per-cent discount if they have an at-fault claim. The corporation works with communities and stakeholder groups to improve road safety and promotes safe driving through public education efforts under the Road Sense umbrella.

Financial Goals and Objectives

The goal is to balance earnings from premiums and investments against claims and operating expenses. Rate Stabilization Reserves are used to cover losses when the cost of claims exceeds the premium income. ICBC’s mission is to help take the risk out of road transportation for British Columbians by providing effective and reliable auto insurance, developing and implementing safety programs, and working with the auto industry and local governments to create safer vehicles and roads.

1995 Results

ICBC ended its 1995 fiscal year with a $62-million surplus and $364 million in reserves. Reserves were eight per cent of liabilities, which is well within the six-to-10-per-cent range the corporation considers prudent.

70 Appendix 8 (continued)

Claims rose to 849,000 from 789,000 the previous year. Claims cost $1.96 billion compared to $1.78 billion in 1994. Injury claims accounted for $1.24 billion, or 63 per cent; property claims totalled $724 million. More than one quarter of ICBC’s customers enrolled in Autoplan12 financing plan, which enables motorists to pay their premiums over 12 months.

Administrative Costs

ICBC continues to be one of the most efficient insurance companies in North America. Administrative expenses in 1995 were held to less than four per cent of total expenses, while the corporation’s expense ratio was just 16 per cent.

Loss Prevention

In 1995, the corporation began to shift emphasis from insurance provider to promoter of road safety measures. By encouraging safe driving as well as safe vehicles and roads, the corporation aims to reduce the number of accidents, especially serious crashes that lead to injury or death. The objective is to save lives and money. Road Sense was expanded in 1995 to include initiatives to crack down on auto crime, a growing concern, and drinking drivers, a perennial problem, against which an enhanced CounterAttack campaign involving 10 municipalities in Greater Vancouver and Greater Victoria was launched between July and December. During the year, the corporation also began planning for the introduction of photo radar to the province, and initiated hard- hitting television ads focusing on the often-tragic consequences of excessive speed.

The Workplace

The corporation supports and promotes employment equity, multiculturalism and workplace diversity. These measures not only provide equal opportunity for employees to participate and further their careers, but enhance service to ICBC’s culturally diverse customer base. Employees have access to a broad range of job training and development programs.

Note: ICBC was assigned to the Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations on February 28, 1996.

71 Appendix 9 BCR Group of Companies

The BCR Group of Companies is a customer-focused, market-driven organization providing efficient and integrated services in transportation, telecommunications, real estate and related services. During 1995/96, it has been responsible to the legislature through the minister of transportation and highways. Although publicly owned, the Group operates with a commercial mandate and competes in the private sector with other railways, trucking firms, land developers, port operators and telecommunication firms. The Group comprises the provincially owned holding company, British Columbia Railway Company, four operating subsidiaries — BC Rail Ltd., BCR Properties Ltd., Vancouver Wharves Ltd. and Westel Telecommunications Ltd. — and a joint venture management company, BCR Ventures Inc. The companies function as separate entities and are independently directed and managed. Vancouver Wharves and Westel Communications are subject to federal regulation, while BC Rail Ltd. and BCR Properties are provincially regulated. BC Rail Ltd., Canada’s third largest railway, is an integrated transportation company. It is commercially driven and diversified to meet the needs of its customers. The railway transports many of British Columbia primary resource products, including forest products, coal, minerals and metal concentrates, on its 2,502-kilometre rail network. It is connected to all rail-served points in North America. Strategic business units within the operating railway are rail freight, intermodal services, passenger services, fleet management and international rail consultants. BCR Properties Ltd. functions as both BC Rail’s real estate division and as an independent entrepreneurial real estate development company. It is active in land development and management. It manages about 16,000 hectares and administers some 500 land leases. More than 50,000 square metres of buildings are under its management, including BC Rail Centre in North Vancouver. At March 31, 1996, two major projects were under construction — a 4,000-square-metre office building in Prince George and a 6,000-square-metre retail centre in Squamish.

72 Appendix 9 (continued)

Westel Telecommunications operates 2,500 km of communication lines and is linked to the global telecommunications network. It provides competitively priced voice, data and video image services to businesses and residences throughout B.C. Almost exclusively digital, the network extends from Vancouver to Fort Nelson, with extensions to Victoria, Kamloops, Kelowna, Dawson Creek, Tumbler Ridge and Driftwood. Vancouver Wharves Ltd. is a five-berth deep sea bulk terminal located at the entrance to the Port of Vancouver in Burrard Inlet. It handles a variety of export products, including mineral concentrates, pulp, liquids and dry bulk fertilizers. The company also operates an inbound concentrates-receiving system. Vancouver Wharves was one of the first terminals in North America to receive certification from the International Standards Organization.

Financial Overview

The BCR Group of Companies has assets of more than $1.5 billion. Its consolidated 1995 net income was $46.7 million, compared with a net income of $40.5 million for the previous year, representing one of the most successful years in the history of the Group. Consolidated revenues were up 10.4 per cent, or $40 million, to $425 million. Consolidated operating income was $82 million, compared with $72.5 million in 1994 and $27.8 million in 1993.

Looking Ahead

In the years ahead, the Group will continue to market its rail freight operations, while emphasizing the growing contribution of its other companies. As suitable opportunities are identified, the Group may diversify further into resource development along the railway’s right of way. BC Rail will also evaluate the acquisition of rail lines that become available in western Canada as a result of industry privatization and restructuring programs. The Group’s operating goal is to increase the value of the companies for its shareholder, the province, and for the people of British Columbia.

73 Appendix 10 Motor Carrier Commission

The Motor Carrier Commission is an independent commission of the Province of British Columbia, reporting to the Legislature through the Minister of Transportation and Highways. Created in 1973 with the abolition of the Public Utilities Commission that had administered the Motor Carrier Act since 1939, it regulates the transportation of goods or persons by for-hire motor vehicles in the province. It derives its authority from the Motor Carrier Act, and also under delegation from the Government of Canada, pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Transport Act, 1987. It is the duty of the commission to regulate motor carriers, including commercial trucks, buses and taxis moving both inside and outside the province, with the object of promoting adequate and efficient service, a healthy industry, safe highways and fair and reasonable charges. The commission may make investigations, inquiries, regulations and orders where it deems necessary in carrying out its responsibilities. It may grant applications in whole or in part, or may hold public hearings for further investigation into applications. The commission’s operational arm is the Motor Carrier Department, which accepts applications, conducts investigations, issues licences and collects revenue on behalf of the commission. In cooperation with other agencies, the department participates in various compliance activities, including road checks, investigation of complaints, and random audits of the records of licensed motor carriers.

Highlights

The commission considered 3,883 applications for licensing during the year ending Feb. 29, 1996. These included 3483 for new authority, alterations to existing authority, or transfers of authority There were 226 more licensed carriers at the end of the year, despite cancellation or deletion of 766 licences during the year. General revenues totalled $7,221,811, an increase of $391,403 from the previous year.

74 Appendix 10 (continued)

The commission conducted 893 public hearings, including 60 applications for licence authority, three review hearings, and 740 show-cause hearings. The Reconsideration Panel heard 93 cases. The majority of the hearings were heard in Burnaby, but others were scheduled in Cranbrook, Duncan, Gibsons, Kelowna, Lillooet, Nelson, Penticton, Prince George and Victoria. The commission issued 851 orders and the Reconsideration Panel issued 108 leave orders and 59 reconsideration orders. The Motor Carrier Department handled 50 complaint files. During the year the commission issued 7,360 temporary permits authorizing seasonal, emergency or occasional operation of public or limited vehicles on the provincial highways.

75 Appendix 11 Columbia Basin Trust

The trust was created by the Columbia Basin Trust Act passed by all parties in the provincial legislature in May 1995. It arose out of the collective desire of basin residents to receive recognition for – and the provincial government’s acknowledgment of – the injustices and damages done to the region by the dams and reservoirs built under the Columbia River Treaty. The trust ensures investments match the values and priorities of the region. Its 18- member board is made up entirely of basin residents. The board is required to prepare a short-term corporate management plan by July 1996, and a long-term Columbia Basin Management Plan by July 1997. In developing plans, the trust must consult with the public and form one or more advisory committees. The functions of the committees are to advise directors on investing the region’s share of downstream benefits from the Columbia River Treaty, to assist the trust board of directors in anticipating social, environmental and economic needs of the region and to aid in the development of long- and short-term plans. For further information, contact: Columbia Basin Trust Main Floor, 102 Nelson Ave. N Box 220, Nakusp, B.C. V0G 1R0 Tel: (250) 265-4822 Fax: (250) 265-2246 Toll Free: 1-800-505-8998

76 Appendix 12 Columbia Power Corporation

The Columbia Power Corporation is a provincial Crown corporation established on April 18, 1994 to manage hydroelectric assets and develop new generation at the existing Hugh Keenleyside Dam, jointly with the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). In May 1996, the CPC and the CBT purchased Cominco’s Brilliant Dam for $130 million. Associated with this purchase and other agreements related to the maintenance and operations of the dam is the management of the Brilliant lands and the co-ordination of workers and contractors performing rehabilitation work on the Dam. The joint venture has also purchased the rights to expand power generation facilities at the Brilliant and Waneta dams. The corporation received an initial investment of $51.8 million in May 1994. In March 1995, the province signed the Columbia Basin Accord with the Columbia River Treaty Committee to ensure the return of a fair share of the downstream benefits to the region. Investments totalling $1 billion over the next 10 years will help create needed jobs and training opportunities for basin residents. Columbia Basin Accord objectives are to: • create jobs, • manage the water resource, • invest in power assets, • secure power supplies, and • maintain and develop markets. Under an agreement with the Columbia Basin Trust, which was created with the proclamation of the Columbia Basin Trust Act in July 1995, the province has committed to contribute $50 million a year for 10 years, beginning in April 1996, towards the development of power projects in the basin. These projects, including the undeveloped hydroelectric assets vested in the Columbia Power Corporation, are to be managed jointly by the corporation and the trust. The development plan, announced in Castlegar on January 13, 1996 includes continuation of the ongoing environmental approval process for the installation of a power plant at the Hugh Keenleyside Dam, the ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation

77 Appendix 12 (continued)

of Brilliant Dam, followed by turbine upgrades and future expansion of the Brilliant power plant. Long-term proposals include expanding the power plant at Waneta Dam. The corporation has been directed by Cabinet to undertake the planning activities and negotiations necessary to advance the power projects, and represents the province’s interest in the projects. For further information, contact: Columbia Basin Power Projects 1125-4th Street Castlegar, B.C. V1N 2A8 Tel: (250) 365-3189 Fax: (250) 365-3186

78 Appendix 13 British Columbia Transportation Financing Authority

The BC Transportation Financing Authority (BCFTA) was established by the Build BC Act (1993). The act states that the purpose of the BCFTA is: “… to plan, acquire, construct, improve or cause to be constructed or improved transportation infrastructure throughout British Columbia and to do such other things as the Lieutenant Governor in Council may authorize.” The act also stipulates that part of the BCFTA’s mandate is to fulfill the BC21 objectives, including the following: a) co-ordinating the government’s activities to achieve overall economic development and job creation goals; b) ensuring that all regions of the province benefit from economic expansion and diversification; c) encouraging public and private sector investment and job creation activities in an innovative manner; d) promoting training and investment in people as a significant component of public sector investment activity; and e) creating training and employment opportunities for people from traditionally disadvantaged groups. The BCFTA is a Crown corporation governed by a five-member board of directors. It pursues its objectives through the ongoing activities of its two operating divisions, the Planning and Evaluation Division and the Project Development and Financing Division. Communications support is provided by the Communications Branch. The corporation is based in Victoria, with a small branch office in Vancouver. For further information on the activities of the BC Transportation Financing Authority, phone the Communications Branch at (250) 356-0981, visit the offices at 300 - 940 Blanshard Street, Victoria, or write to: BC Transportation Financing Authority Box 9900, Stn Prov Govt Victoria, B.C. V8W 9R1

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