Transportation and Infrastructure Minister's Photo Gallery 2008

Photos, videos and artist renderings are available for use in whole or in part without permission provided they are used unaltered. No credit line is required.

Busy Day on December 11th for the Ministry and TransLink!

December 11th – Minister Falcon at the news conference podium at the Expo Line Gateway Platform in Surrey along with Surrey Mayor Diane Watts and TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast.

Click here for full size photo

Minister Falcon chats with Richmond East MLA Linda Reid and Richmond Steveston MLA John Yap while TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast is on the business end of his shovel during the groundbreaking event for the Highway 99 shoulder bus lane in Richmond.

Click here for full size photo

Two important lower mainland transit projects were launched on December 11th with Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon and TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast pulling double duty Presiding over the Surrey and Richmond events.

At the Expo Line Gateway Station in Surrey, the Ministry and TransLink inked Memorandums of Understanding toward cost-sharing agreements for planning and project development for the rapid transit line to UBC and a rapid transit expansion in Surrey, two of the new rapid transit lines outlined in the Provincial Transit Plan. The agreements provide for cost-sharing of up to $5 million for each project.

A short time later in sunny Richmond, Minister Falcon, Richmond East MLA Linda Reid, John Yap, Richmond Steveston MLA and Tom Prendergast, CEO of TransLink officially broke ground on the $7.7-million shoulder bus lane project along Highway 99 in Richmond, which will eventually carry transit commuters from White Rock to the Canada Line.

GOVERNMENT KICKS OFF 33 PER CENT REDUCTION IN FERRY FARES

December 1, 2008 – Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon, Saanich North and the Islands MLA and Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Murray Coell and BC Ferries' Dan Wong.

Click here for full size photo

GOVERNMENT KICKS OFF 33 PER CENT REDUCTION IN FERRY FARES

December 1, 2008 – Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon, Saanich North and the Islands MLA and Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Murray Coell were at Swartz Bay ferry terminal to celebrate the first day of the provincial government’s 33 per cent reduction in coastal ferry fares for December and January. The temporary reduction in fares is part of Premier Campbell’s Ten Point Plan to protect BC’s economy amidst the global financial crisis.

Click here for full size photo

Pitt River Bridge Project Marks Milestone

October 27, 2008 – The Pitt River Bridge and Mary Hill Interchange Project marked a milestone as it reached the two-thirds completion mark. The Pitt River Bridge and Mary Hill Interchange Project includes a new seven-lane bridge that will replace the existing swing bridges, as well as an interchange to replace the current Lougheed Highway and Mary Hill Bypass intersection. The design incorporates more than $8.5 million in pedestrian and cycling features, including bicycle lanes across the new bridge. Pictured (left to right): Federal Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific Gateway), (2010 Olympics), (Official Languages) James Moore, Premier Gordon Campbell, and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon.

Click here for full size photo 1

Click here for full size photo 2

Cowichan Valley Commuter Bus Service Officially Launched

October 20, 2008 – The new commuter bus service provides commuters from the Cowichan Valley with six round trips daily from either Duncan or Shawnigan Lake to downtown Victoria. The Province paid $4 million for the service's eight luxury coach-style buses and has committed $362,000 a year towards operating costs. BC Transit and the Cowichan Valley Regional District are providing the remaining operations funding. Pictured (left to right): BC transit president and CEO Manuel Achadinha, Gerry Giles, vice-chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Mo Bhoondpaul, bus driver and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon.

Click here for full size photo

Highway 97 Expansion Project Passes Milestone

October 17, 2008 – Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Kevin Falcon with Okanagan-Westside MLA Rick Thorpe, after blasting past another milestone in the $54-million Highway 97 expansion project. Over one million cubic metres of material has now been removed from the site. The Province is four-laning seven kilometres of Highway 97 from Bentley Road to Okanagan Lake Park near Summerland to improve the flow of traffic and the safety of the highway. The project will be complete in the fall of 2009.

Click here for full size photo

Province and partners launch
Cowichan Valley commuter bus service

October 20, 2008 – Minister Kevin Falcon relaxes with the morning paper as he rides BC Transit's Cowichan Valley Commuter bus service on its first day of operation. The Cowichan Valley Commuter offers six round trips a day, starting in either Duncan or Shawnigan Lake, serving commuters who live in the Cowichan Valley but work or study in the capital. The Province paid $4 million for the service's eight luxury coach-style buses and had committed $362,000 a year towards operating costs; BC Transit and the Cowichan Valley Regional District are providing the remaining operations funding.

Click here for full size photo

Coquihalla Toll Booth Demolition

October 2, 2008 – Premier Gordon Campbell and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Kevin Falcon were on hand for the beginning of the demolition of the Coquihalla toll booths near Merritt. Removal of the 13 toll booths will mean traffic will flow unimpeded from the Lower Mainland to Kamloops.

Click here for full size photo

Funding Supports Kelowna Cycling Paths

Sept. 22, 2008 — Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon is joined by Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd and Doug Owram, deputy vice chancellor of University of British Columbia Okanagan to announce over $2.4 million toward three cycling infrastructure projects in Kelowna. The projects, funded through Bike BC, include the creation of a 1.8-kilometre multi-use pathway from UBCO toward the city, improving cycling access to the university for students and faculty.

Click here for full size photo

BC and Squamish First Nation Sign Sea-to-Sky Highway Agreement

September 12, 2008 — Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon joins Squamish First Nation chiefs to sign the Sea-to-Sky Highway Agreement. The agreement allows the Province to widen the Sea-to-Sky Highway through portions of the Squamish claimed traditional territory, while enabling the Squamish to pursue economic development opportunities created by the Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project and the 2010 Winter Games.

Joining Minister Falcon is (left to right): Chief Ian Campbell and Chief Gibby Jacob.

Click here for full size photo

Provincial/Federal Funds for Interior Roads

July 24, 2008 — Minister Falcon and Premier Campbell joined Federal Minister for Public Safety, Stockwell Day, on July 24th to announce the $231 Million joint investment for multiple interior road projects. The announcement, at Reiswig Regional Park near Winfield, included details of the first investment; up to $33.6 Million from the federal Building Canada Fund and approximately $44 million provincial dollars for Highway 97 upgrading from Oyama to Winfield.

From left to right: Premier Gordon Campbell, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon—at microphone, Federal Minister for Public Safety Stockwell Day and Ron Cannon, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country.

Click here for full size photo

$1.8 million to improve public transit in Kamloops

July 22, 2008 — Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon, at podium, announces a $1.8-million investment in the Kamloops transit service. The funding comes from both the Provincial Transit Plan and the federal government's Public Transit Capital Trust, and will pay for increased service to the southwest part of Kamloops, as well as to Thompson Rivers University. Joining Falcon at the announcement is (left to right): Hon. Kevin Krueger, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson, Claude Richmond, MLA for Kamloops and Terry Lake, mayor of Kamloops.

Click here for full size photo

Translink to Buy Third Seabus; B.C. Provides $4.8m

June 11, 2008 — Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon (left of poster) and TransLink chair Dale Parker (right) unveil an artist's depiction of the third SeaBus at Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. TransLink has signed an agreement with the Washington Marine Group to build a third SeaBus, and the Province of British Columbia is providing $4.8 million towards the project. Joining the minister and the chair are (left to right): Malcolm Brodie, vice-president of the Washington Marine Group; Katherine Whittred, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale; Daniel Jarvis, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour; Ralph Sultan, MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano; Joan McIntyre, MLA for West Vancouver-Garibaldi; Minister Falcon; chair Parker; Mayor Darrell Mussatto, City of North Vancouver; Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, District of West Vancouver; and Mayor Richard Walton, District of North Vancouver.

Click here for full size photo

PREMIER AND BENNETT OPEN WILLIAM R. BENNETT BRIDGE

May 25, 2008 — Premier Gordon Campbell (centre) is joined by (left to right) former premier William (Bill) R. Bennett, Sindi Hawkins, MLA for Kelowna-Mission, Audrey Bennett, Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon, Rick Thorpe, MLA for Okanagan-Westside and Bill Barisoff, MLA for Penticton Okanagan Valley, as they walk across the new William R. Bennett Bridge on Sunday, May 25. The bridge, named in honour of the former premier, opened 108 days ahead of schedule.

Click here for full size photo

WILLIAM R. BENNETT BRIDGE OPENS

May 25, 2008 — Former premier William (Bill) R. Bennett speaks as, to the right, Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon and Premier Gordon Campbell listen, during the grand opening of the William R. Bennett Bridge in Kelowna. The bridge named in honour of the former premier opened 108 days ahead of schedule.

Click here for full size photo

$12.9 Million Campbell Road Interchange Project Ceremonial Opening

May 9, 2008 - The Westbank First Nation (WFN) hosted the ceremonial opening of the Campbell Road Interchange on-site, at the west side access to the existing Okanagan Lake Bridge and the soon-to-be opened William R. Bennett Bridge. The WFN was given the reins of management for this project, the first time a First Nation has steered a major transportation upgrade project. The WFN and the contractor, Emil Anderson Construction delivered the project on time and on budget, with the official handover to take place in early summer. Placement of commemorative art should be completed by summer.The Campbell Road Interchange will provide freer flowing traffic on and off the new William R. Bennett Bridge and is a key up-grade in the on-going Okanagan corridor/Highway 97 improvement project.

Click here for full size photo

Ceremonial Handover of new Campbell Road Interchange

May 9, 2008 – Minister Falcon was on hand, along with Okanagan-Westside MLA Rick Thorpe and Okanagan-Lakeside MLA Al Horning, as guests of the Westbank First Nation (WFN), managers of the $12.9 Million dollar project. The official handover will take place in early summer once all cosmetic work is completed. WFN dancers helped to celebrate the new interchange which is on budget and on time, The Campbell Road Interchange will provide freer flowing traffic on and off the new William R. Bennett Bridge and is a key up-grade in the on-going Okanagan corridor/Highway 97 improvement project.

Click here for full size photo

Unique Westbank First Nation BC150 Sign Unveiled

May 9, 2008 – Minister Falcon and Westbank First Nation (WFN) Chief Robert Louie proudly unveiled the BC150 sign during the ceremonial opening/handover of the WFN-managed Campbell Road Interchange at the west side access to the existing Okanagan Lake Bridge and the soon-to-be opened William R. Bennett Bridge. The new BC150 sign has been placed at one of the new interchange's roundabouts.

Click here for full size photo

$12.9 Million Campbell Road Interchange Project Ceremonial Opening

May 9, 2008 – The Province and the Westbank First Nation (WFN) negotiated a unique land-use agreement in 2005 that provided WFN land necessary for the new interchange. Under the agreement, the WFN was given the reins of management for this project - the first time a First Nation has steered a major transportation upgrade project. The WFN and the contractor, Emil Anderson Construction, have delivered the project on time and on budget, with the official handover to take place in early summer. Minister Falcon (at the podium microphone), thanks WFN Chief Robert Louie (at Minister’s right), Al Horning (MLA for Okanagan/Lakeside) and Rick Thorpe (MLA for Okanagan/Westside, at the Minister’s far left) for making this project possible.

The Campbell Road Interchange will provide freer flowing traffic on and off the new William R. Bennett Bridge and is a key up-grade in the on-going Okanagan corridor/Highway 97 improvement project.

Click here for full size photo

B.C. Commits $4.3 Million for Malahat Commuter Service

May 9, 2008 – VICTORIA – The Province is committing $4.3 million towards a new Malahat commuter bus service between the Cowichan Valley and downtown Victoria, Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon and BC Transit president Manuel Achadinha announced May 7. The commuter service will run between Shawnigan Lake and Victoria, and Duncan and Victoria. Admiring a bus similar to those that will be used for the commuter service is: (left to right) BC Transit bus operator Bruce Gray, Hon. Murray Coell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, Ron Cantelon, MLA for Nanaimo-Parksville, Hon. Ida Chong, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, BC Transit president Manuel Achadinha, Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon and Bill Young, president of the Canadian Auto Workers Union, local 333.

Click here for full size photo

$20.5 Million for New BC Transit Buses, Better Service

April 21, 2008 – Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon (centre), is joined by Shirley Bond, MLA Prince George-Mount Robson (left), John Rustad, MLA for Prince George-Omineca, and BC Transit president Manuel Achadinha (right) in Prince George to announce $20.5 million in new provincial funding for BC Transit. Prince George's transit system will receive $555,400 of this new provincial funding to improve service and purchase two new low-floor clean diesel buses such as the one pictured.

Click here for full size photo

B.C Gives $47 Million for TransLink Fleet Expansion

April 11, 2008 – Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon (right) and TransLink board chair Dale Parker announce an expansion of TransLink's fleet of buses, trolleys and SkyTrain cars worth $150 million. The Ministry of Transportation is providing $47 million towards the expansion, which will add 103 buses and 14 SkyTrain cars to TransLink's fleet. The provincial funding is the first from the $14-billion Provincial Transit Plan.

Click here for full size photo

Purolator launches Global Supply Chain Services facility in Vancouver

February 7, 2008 – Captain Gordon Houston of Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Minister Kevin Falcon and Robert C. Johnson, President and CEO of Purolator with the first shipment at Purolator's Global Supply Chain Services facility in Richmond, B.C.

Click here for full size photo

Transit plan to help B.C. reach greenhouse gas targets

January 14, 2008 – Premier Campbell and Minister Kevin Falcon take the stage to announce the $14 billion Provincial Transit Plan, a new strategy to double transit ridership by increasing travel choices for people around the province. The Transit Plan includes three new rapid transit lines, seven new RapidBus BC lines including 1,500 new buses in the lower mainland, and 600 new buses throughout the rest of B.C.

Click here for full size photo