Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad has announced plans to improve the North Road.
He made the announcement at a visit to Fort St. James Sept. 5, when he met with some members of council (Mayor Rob MacDougall was unable to attend).
The improvements are meant to bring the road up to a "managed" 100 per cent load limit year-round. What this means is for most of the year the road between Fort St. James and the Mount Milligan mine turn-off will be at 100 per cent load limits, with some spots limiting the load limits to 80 per cent axle weights for some of the year.
The trouble spots are cost-prohibitive to fix, as they would require digging up the entire road base and replacing it.
The work will take place over the next two years, starting this fall with a small amount of road work and the stockpiling of crush to be used next year on more substantial improvements.
"It's a big project," said Rustad, who was happy he could make the announcement, given the Minister of Transportation had not expected to have the money for the improvements this year.
"It's pretty good news for the community," said Rustad. "It was one of those things I thought we might be able to get into next year's budget."
There is not yet a dollar figure announced for the work.