Britannia Beach businesses are breathing a sigh of relief now that a 10-kilometre stretch of Highway 99 from Gonzales Creek to Furry Creek is officially open after a ceremony Tuesday (July 10) that saw B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell hand out awards to Kiewit workers.
"The access to Britannia Beach for the public and homeowners had been disrupted for the last number of months," said Sue Doornbos of CRS Trading, a Britannia shop experiencing significant decrease in business during construction.
"I think [the completion] is going to make a big difference. It looks a lot nicer and people are going to want to stop in Britannia Beach."
Campbell was at Britannia Beach Tuesday to mark the completion of more than 50 per cent of the Sea to Sky Highway, and the opening of the 10-kilometre stretch of highway.
"We have to recognize that none of this would be accomplished without the people who are out here doing the work, and doing a fantastic job," said Campbell.
The premier was at the event with Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon and West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre. Campbell presented 100 Kiewit employees with medals that read "in recognition to your significant contribution in building B.C."
"I think everybody that has been working on this has done a great job, and it's nice to get the recognition," said Kiewit's Grace Lizgrabes.
The highway upgrade is a joint partnership between the province and S2S Transportation Group and most of the province's responsibilities, which include upgrades from Culliton Creek to the Cheakamus Canyon and between Ansell Place and Lions Bay, are completed.
"We now have 59 kilometres of the 100-kilometre project completed," said Campbell.
"Reaching this milestone shows how the combined expertise of the public and private sectors will deliver improved safety, efficiency and other benefits to the travelling public.
"These upgrades will improve both safety and economic opportunities that will benefit local communities and First Nations, and the entire province."
S2S responsibilities include upgrades from Murrin Park to Whistler and, according to Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon, this portion of construction is ahead of schedule.
"We are many, many weeks ahead of schedule," said Falcon. "That's in large part because of the efforts of those workers who are putting their heart into this project, and that's why we're here today to recognize them."A total of $600 million is being spent on the upgrade, which is scheduled for completion by the summer of 2009.
