Whereas the public relies on the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure managed culverts to ensure road safety and mitigate risk; And whereas many failing and clogged culverts present a future flooding risk: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to provide realistic asset management and funding to restore culverts on Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure managed roads.
Ministry of Transportation and Transit The Ministry of Transportation and Transit manages an extensive network of culverts and drainage infrastructure, including 770 structure-size culverts and more than 185,000 other culverts, all of which help protect roadways from flooding and erosion. Recognizing the importance of drainage infrastructure for both highway resilience and user safety, the ministry actively invests in maintaining and improving these systems. Properly functioning culverts are essential during severe weather events, ensuring the stability and accessibility of the transportation network. In 2024, the ministry replaced 100 culverts through its Preservation and Climate Adaptation Programs, while an additional 350 culverts were upgraded under its Maintenance Program. These efforts contribute to long-term infrastructure sustainability and adaptation to climate challenges. To further strengthen the transportation network, the ministry has launched a Climate Adaptation Program. This initiative focuses on increasing culvert capacity, implementing scour remediation, and enhancing erosion protection. Additionally, the ministry assesses vulnerable culvert infrastructure to prioritize future upgrades and project work. When infrastructure is impacted by flooding or other extreme events, the ministry follows a build back better approach that includes upsizing culverts, reinforcing drainage channels, and ensuring effective armoring to withstand environmental pressures. The Climate Adaptation Program is set to invest 100 million over the next three years 202526 to 202728 to improve the resilience of BCs highways and side roads against climate-related events such as intense rainfall, extreme freshets, flooding, and wildfires. Over the past three years, nearly 150 projects have been funded, with 64 million allocated through 202425. To ensure ongoing effectiveness, culverts are inspected annually by maintenance contractors throughout the province. These contractors are responsible for clearing debris and blockages, keeping drainage systems flowing efficiently.