B.C. Awards $4.5M Contract for New Highway Chain-Up Areas
The Province of British Columbia has awarded a $4.52-million construction contract to TwinCon Enterprises Ltd. to build three new commercial vehicle chain-up areas along highways 37 and 37A. The infrastructure project is designed to improve winter road safety, traction preparation, and freight reliability for commercial truck drivers operating in northwestern B.C.
The project includes enhancements to the existing Windy Hill chain-up area and the construction of new facilities near Meziadin Junction and the Bell 1 rest area. Designed specifically for heavy transport and commercial rigs, the paved pullouts provide safe working areas near steep highway grades for drivers to install and remove tire chains. Select sites will also feature rest-area amenities and remote Wi-Fi connectivity.
“Highway 37 is a vital transportation corridor for northern communities, industry and visitors travelling through northwestern B.C.,” said Mike Farnworth, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Transit. “These new chain-up areas will give commercial vehicle drivers safer places to prepare for challenging winter conditions, helping reduce incidents, improve reliability, and keep people and goods moving safely.”
“Canada is building the infrastructure we need to unlock our critical-minerals advantage and connect our economy from coast to coast to coast,” added Tim Hodgson, federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “Investments like this one are strengthening transportation corridors in northern British Columbia for families and businesses.”
The chain-up builds mark the first phase of the broader $195-million Northwest Corridor Improvement Program, jointly funded by B.C. ($120M) and Natural Resources Canada ($75M). For Canadian fleet managers and cross-border transport operators, the infrastructure upgrades mitigate winter jackknife risks, lower emergency towing costs, and decrease weather-related highway closures along key resource routes.
