Funding was announced on Tuesday (March 21) to help bring better cell coverage to highways across the province.
Minister of Citizenssa国际传媒� 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 sa国际传媒� known as the Highway of Tears.
sa国际传媒淎ccess to cellular coverage is important when on the road, especially when travelling through remote and rural areas,sa国际传媒� said Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizenssa国际传媒� Services. sa国际传媒淲ith the provincesa国际传媒檚 investment in new cellular infrastructure, wesa国际传媒檙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.sa国际传媒�
sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e going to make sure that whether itsa国际传媒檚 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.sa国际传媒�
Beare also announced North Island MLA Michele Babchuksa国际传媒檚 new role as premiersa国际传媒檚 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.
sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙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 wesa国际传媒檝e created the program,sa国际传媒� Beare said.
sa国际传媒淭odaysa国际传媒檚 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,sa国际传媒� said Babchuk. sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 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 thatsa国际传媒檚 been needed for a long time.sa国际传媒�
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 sa国际传媒渢he length of time it currently takes to even let someone know you are lost or in trouble makes a bad situation even worse.sa国际传媒�
sa国际传媒淢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,sa国际传媒� Rutherford said. sa国际传媒淥ften yousa国际传媒檒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.sa国际传媒�
The funding is part of the provincesa国际传媒檚 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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marc.kitteringham@campbellrivermirror.com
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