About the Ministry of Transportation

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 of Transportation 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

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
• Passenger Transportation Board
• Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister's Office

• Chief Operating Officer
• Kicking Horse Canyon Project
• William R.Bennett Bridge Project
• Climate Action Program
• Transportation Planning and Policy
  • Program Development and Monitoring
  • Highway Planning
  • Pacific Gateway Strategy
  • Project Management Support Services
  • Transportation Policy Branch
  • Marine
  • Registrar, Passenger Transportation Branch
  • Finance and Administration
• Finance and Management Services Department
  • Financial Management Branch
  • Information Management Branch
    • Information, Privacy and Records
  • Transit
  • Writing Services
• Highways
  • Engineering Branch
  • Chief Engineer's Office
  • Support Services
  • Systems Support
  • Traffic, Electrical and Geometric Standards
  • Bridge Engineering
  • Environmental Management Section
  • Geotechnical, Materials and Pavement Engineering
  • Construction and Maintenance
  • Claims
  • Corporate Procurement and Avalanche Programs
  • Corporate Contracting
  • Corporate Insurance and Bonds
  • Snow Avalanche and Weather Programs
  • Corporate Safety
  • Radio and Electronics
  • Rehabilitation and Maintenance
• Maintenance Program
• Rehabilitation and Construction
• Properties and Business Management
• Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcment
• Finance and Administration
• Northern Region
• Cariboo Connector Project
• Fort George District
• Peace District
• Bulkley-Stikine District
• Skeena District
• Southern Interior Region
  • Provincial Field Services
  • Okanagan Shuswap District
  • Thompson Nicola District
  • Cariboo District
  • West Kootenay District
  • Rocky Mountain District
• South Coast Region
  • Lower Mainland District
  • Vancouver Island District
• Human Resources
• Partnerships
• Fraser Gateway
• Operations Transitions
• Sea-to-Sky Highway
• Highway 1
• Land Management Branch
• Project and Partnerships Development
• Fraser Corridor

Capsule History of Ministry of Transportation

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 (including 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, with a broader mandate, the name was changed to Ministry of Transportation. Wider responsibilities include such crown corporations as BC Ferries, BC Rail and BC Transit. The ministry’s mission includes creating an integrated transportation plan with strong regional and stakeholder input for highway, rail, air and other transportation modes. This direction will provide a strong foundation for economic growth.

For a more detailed history of the Ministry of Transportation, see

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