Funding was announced on Tuesday (March 21) to help bring better cell coverage to highways across the province.
Minister of Citizens害羞草研究所� Services Lisa Beare was in Campbell River to announce the $75 million fund to help projects that expand cellular service to at least another 550 kilometres of highway over the next four years.
The fund is an expansion on a $15 million provincial investment for cell coverage on highways. That investment has been put to use on projects including a stretch of Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert 害羞草研究所� known as the Highway of Tears.
害羞草研究所淎ccess to cellular coverage is important when on the road, especially when travelling through remote and rural areas,害羞草研究所� said Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens害羞草研究所� Services. 害羞草研究所淲ith the province害羞草研究所檚 investment in new cellular infrastructure, we害羞草研究所檙e making it possible for more people to stay connected to their loved ones while travelling and have access to emergency 911 and other services via mobile connectivity.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e going to make sure that whether it害羞草研究所檚 for increasing tourism or increasing supply chain corridor safety or just making sure you can connect with your loved ones, that you have that ability to do so.害羞草研究所�
Beare also announced North Island MLA Michele Babchuk害羞草研究所檚 new role as premier害羞草研究所檚 liaison for connectivity. Babchuk and Beare both acknowledged the need for improved cell service in the region, particularly along Highway 19 north of Campbell River.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e standing here right in the foot of Highway 19. We very much understand the need for these kind of investments on this exact type of highway, which is why we害羞草研究所檝e created the program,害羞草研究所� Beare said.
害羞草研究所淭oday害羞草研究所檚 announcement to improve access to cellular services means that people travelling on our highways will have more confidence knowing they can access maps, search for roadside services along their route, or call for help in case of an emergency,害羞草研究所� said Babchuk. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 so happy and looking forward to cellular connectivity developments on our beautiful highways. I know as well as many in this room that travel especially around our riding that this is something that害羞草研究所檚 been needed for a long time.害羞草研究所�
The lack of cell service on rural and remote highways makes emergency situations even more dangerous in these areas. Campbell River RCMP Sgt. Kimberley Rutherford spoke at the announcement, saying that she has experience working in remote areas, and 害羞草研究所渢he length of time it currently takes to even let someone know you are lost or in trouble makes a bad situation even worse.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淢aking a phone call, something we take for granted in the bigger centers, brings piece of mind for motorists and their loved ones with more remote areas,害羞草研究所� Rutherford said. 害羞草研究所淥ften you害羞草研究所檒l find emergency responders such as myself in these rural areas working alone. Having cell service to be able to call a supervisor or call a medical professional is a very valuable tool that helps us deal with complex situations.害羞草研究所�
The funding is part of the province害羞草研究所檚 StrongerBC plan. It is being administered by the Northern Development Initiative Trust. The funds will be available as part of a competitive application process, and more information about funding eligibility will be made available later this year.
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