Whereas there is growing concern about the state of secondary roads in rural communities that are in need of safety improvements such as more frequent refreshment of pavement lane markings which are essential to ensuring the safe flow of vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic, especially in more remote areas where street lighting may be minimal or non-existent; And whereas the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, as the responsible authority for the public road network in rural areas, oversees rural road maintenance through highway maintenance service contracts according to terms set out by the Province that define levels for maintenance standards and a budget for each specific service area: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial government to review service level standards and increase funding for the upkeep of secondary roads in the provincial road network to ensure safe and accessible transportation options for rural communities who depend on them for day-to-day personal and business transportation needs.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Secondary roads are an important component of the transportation network as they connect rural and remote communities to essential services such as Schools and Hospitals and facilitate the movement of goods across the Province. Over the next three years, the Ministry plans to invest 335M on secondary roads. The budget for secondary roads increased from 90M per year to 110M per year in 201819 and as per the latest service plan it will increase to 115M in 202223. Regarding pavement markings, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure works closely with contractors to continually test new paint formulations and products to ensure that high-performing, environmentally friendly paint is used in BC. The ministry invests more than 20M annually on pavement markings across the province; this includes secondary rural roads. This funding provides for: - 20 more lines painted annually throughout the province; - Use of larger glass beads for increased reflectivity and visibility at night, and thicker paint for longer-lasting pavement marking in coastal areas; - Second coat application in areas that experience premature wear; - Enhanced contractor monitoring and auditing, to maintain consistent performance.