About the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

Our transportation network of highways, bridges, regional airports, ferries, buses and rail transit is a vital asset for all British Columbians. They help people reach their destinations and assist in moving goods to market, serving private citizens, industry and business throughout our province.

In building and maintaining our highway system, and by co-ordinating our provincial transportation network, the ministry and its partners promote economic development. The ministry is committed to ensuring sound environmental practices in all its activities and building positive relations with all members of British Columbia's many communities.

Also see

Capsule History of Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

and

Frontier to Freeway - A Short Illustrated History of Roads and Highways in British Columbia

Ministry Branches and Organization
(Last update March 2008)

Minister's Office

• BC Rail
• BC Transit

Deputy Minister

• Chief Operating Officer - Overview
  • Pacific Gateway Strategy
• Finance and Management Services Department
  • Financial Services
  • Financial Management Branch
  • Information Management Branch
  • Writing Services
• Highways Department - Overview
  • Business Management Services Branch
  • Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcment
  • Construction and Maintenance Branch
    • Avalanche and Weather Programs
  • Rehabilitation and Construction Section
  • Engineering Branch
    • Bridge
    • Engineering Systems
    • Environmental
    • Geotech Materials and Pavements
    • Traffic, Electrical, Highway Safety and Geometric Standards
  • Finance and Administration
  • South Coast Region
  • Southern Interior Region
  • Northern Region
• Infrastructure Department
  • Evergreen Line Project
  • Infrastructure Development Branch
  • Marine Branch
  • Planning and Programming Branch
• Partnerships Department
  • Project Governance and Corporate Initiatives
  • Operations and Procurement
  • Gateway Program
  • Properties and Land Management
  • Transit
• Transportation Policy and Programs Department - Overview
  • Passenger Transportation Branch
  • Partnership and Project Development
  • Transportation Policy Branch
• Strategic Human Resources Branch - Overview
  • Engineers in Training Program (EIT)
  • Management Development Program (MDP)
  • Technical Entry Level Program (TELP)

Capsule History of Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

The ministry's origins date back to 1854 when three road commissioners were appointed to oversee spending on the construction of roads in the colony. The first wagon road built was Craigflower Road connecting farms in the area of Fort Victoria. Later attention turned to the mainland where early roadbuilding was closely linked to the gold rushes.

The commission became the Department of Lands and Works in 1858. It was headed by a chief commissioner, whose responsibilities included, among other things, to locate, construct and maintain highways and bridges in what was then still a Crown colony but which became a province in 1871 when it entered confederation with the rest of Canada.

In 1908, the department changed to the Department of Public Works, which included highways. A separate Ministry of Highways didn't come into being until 1954.

When the Department of Public Works became a Crown corporation in 1977, one its divisions - Safety Engineering - was transferred to the Ministry of Highways, which then became known as the Ministry of Highways and Public Works.

The following year, transportation and communications were added to the portfolio and the ministry went through another name change becoming the Ministry of Transportation, Communications and Highways.

Following the move of communications to another portfolio in 1979, the Ministry of Transportation and Highways title remained the same for more than 20 years.

In 2001, the ministry became simply the Ministry of Transportation to reflect its modern focus on a network that efficiently connects all modes of transportation, including highways, transit, rail, air, marine, cycling and more. The ministry also took on provincial responsibility for ferry services, rail, and public transit, overseeing the crown corporations that provided these services.

In response to a global economic downturn in 2008, the ministry expanded its portfolio, using its expertise in managing major capital projects to help foster other lasting infrastructure investments that would strengthen the economy. As part of this shift, the ministry became the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Today, the ministry remains dedicated to building B.C.’s economic capacity while protecting public safety, the environment and the quality of life of our citizens.

For a more detailed look at the early history of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, download our free e-book, published in 2000:

Frontier to Freeway - A Short Illustrated History of the Roads in British Columbia – 14.64 MB PDF