ICBC improves road safety in Terrace and Hazelton

Approximately $8.9 million spent in 2007 helps prevent crashes and reduce claims costs

ICBC has been helping improve road safety at high-crash locations in B.C. communities since its Road Improvement Program was launched in 1989. In 2007, ICBC invested approximately $8.9 million in funding for safety improvements to roads across the province.

ICBC’s Road Improvement Program works in partnership with municipalities and the provincial government to make roads safer. In 2007, ICBC helped fund approximately 300 projects and engineering studies in 73 communities across the province. Over $1 million in funding was dedicated to road improvement projects in the North Central region, with approximately $55,000 invested in Terrace and Hazelton.

“Road improvements are recognized worldwide as one of the most effective ways to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians," said John Les, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. "By making intersections and other high-crash locations safer, we are reducing crashes, preventing injuries, and saving lives,” said Les.

Projects earmarked for road improvement investments are assessed to ensure they make B.C. roads safer for all drivers and translate into lower claims costs for ICBC and its customers. The most recent independent evaluation of ICBC-funded road improvements found a four-to-one return on investment over two years following a project’s completion.

ICBC’s road safety investment concentrates on the systemic causes of crashes— drivers, roads and vehicles— and supports programs that are proven to prevent crashes and deliver the most significant claim savings benefits to its customers.

ICBC improves road safety in Terrace and Hazelton

“The reality is, many of our roads were designed to standards existing in the 1950s or ‘60s,” notes ICBC’s Brian Sargent, manager of Road Safety Program Delivery. “New engineering standards such as dedicated left-turn bays, anti-skid treatments, roundabouts and traffic signal upgrades give us an opportunity to reduce crashes significantly. All ICBC-funded road improvement projects must achieve a return on investment. These savings are then passed onto our customers through low and stable insurance rates.”

Road improvement projects underway or completed in 2007 in Terrace and Hazelton

Location: Highway 16
Project Description: Installing new signs along the highway and making the road alignment more visible to drivers.
Partner: Ministry of Transportation
ICBC contribution: approximately $15,000
Location: Highway 16 at Gitaus Road
Project Description: Installing a new left-turn lane, a new right-turn deceleration lane and improving on the road signs throughout the area.

Partner: Ministry of Transportation
ICBC contribution: approximately $5,000
Location: Highway 16 (Hazelton to Houston)
Project Description: Making curves in the road more visible for drivers.
Partner: Ministry of Transportation
ICBC contribution: approximately $35,000

To find out more about projects in your community, go to www.icbc.com.