British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will not be displaying live messages from Twitter on two new state of-the-art-message boards on Highway 4 for social media purposes.
However, Highway 4 state of-the-art-message boards are now live to provide real time and on time road and weather conditions for you while you’re driving along Kennedy Lake between Port Alberni and Ucluelet.
Often, this 10-kilometre highway 4 stretch is subject to low visibility due to frequent heavy rain and fog.
Hooray! Highway 4 safety is improved in order to immediately alert you to the conditions and recommended safe driving speeds, depending on the severity of the weather!
British Columbia, Canada
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2011TRAN0019-000181
Feb. 25, 2011
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
FIRST IN B.C. TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES HIGHWAY 4 SAFETY
PORT ALBERNI – Two new state of-the-art-message boards are going live today. They are the first in B.C. and will improve Highway 4 safety by providing up-to-the-minute road and weather conditions.
The new message boards are located 10 kilometres apart along Kennedy Lake between Port Alberni and Ucluelet, an area subject to low visibility due to frequent heavy rain and fog. A nearby weather station sends information on road and weather conditions directly to the overhead message boards, which alert drivers to the conditions and recommended safe driving speeds, depending on the severity of the weather.
In the event of an emergency, the signs can also display other warnings or messages. The Province contributed over $1 million and ICBC is contributing over $63,000 toward the project.
Traditional message boards are updated by the ministry’s Provincial Highway Conditions Centre in Burnaby, which receives road and weather information from road maintenance contractors.
Quotes:
Shirley Bond, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure –
“This new warning system is another example of our ongoing commitment to improve the safety of Highway 4.” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond. “This is the first time in British Columbia a weather station has been directly linked to a message board, which will improve motorist safety, by providing up-to-the-minute road conditions and advisories.”
Nicolas Jimenez, director of Road Safety, ICBC –
“A big part of safe driving is knowing the conditions you’re driving into, said Nicolas Jimenez, director of Road Safety at ICBC. “That’s why we were excited to invest in this innovative initiative, because we believe it has the potential to reduce crashes. It’s no surprise that smart and informed choices usually lead to safer driving.”
Quick Facts:
- Every day, about 1,900 vehicles travel on Highway 4 between Port Alberni and Tofino.
- During the summer, about 3,400 vehicles travel this stretch of the highway.
- Since 2001, the Province has invested $33 million in upgrades to improve Highway 4.
- To date, 15 bridges have been upgraded or replaced.
- Over the next year, the Province will invest over $4 million toward improving roadside barriers and replacing the Wally and Lost Shoe bridges, as well as reviewing options to widen several sections of the corridor.
- Previous improvements include: upgrading roadside barriers near Kennedy Lake and installing rumble strips.
- Since 2009, the Province has invested $3 million to resurface and widen Highway 4 from Port Alberni to the Tsehelt First Nations.
Learn more:
- Photos of the new message boards are available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tranbc
- Learn more about Transportation and Infrastructure projects planned or underway in B.C.: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/highwayprojects.htm
- Follow the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on Twitter at: http://twitter.com
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When will these new state of-the-art-message boards be installed in all the provinces and territories in Canada?
Hopefully soon.
Please let us know what you think. We would love to receive your comments.