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Resource Summary

Resource Summary Table

Core Business Areas 2007/08 Restated Estimates1 2008/09 Estimates 2009/10 Plan 2010/11 Plan
Operating Expenses ($000)2
Transportation Improvements 19,557 30,405 30,976 30,726
Public Transportation 3 382,371 429,366 457,946 494,566
Highway Operations 464,131 494,450 482,929 479,430
Commercial Passenger Transportation Regulation 2,581 2,610 2,639 2,639
Executive and Support Services 13,386 13,722 13,851 13,853
Total 882,026 970,553 988,341 1,021,214
Full-time Equivalents (Direct FTEs)
Transportation Improvements 364 383 383 383
Public Transportation 2 20 20 20
Highway Operations 948 943 943 943
Commercial Passenger Transportation Regulation 25 25 25 25
Executive and Support Services 110 110 110 110
Total 1,449 1,481 1,481 1,481
Ministry Capital Expenditures (Consolidated Revenue Fund) ($000)
Transportation Improvements 676 637 519 679
Highway Operations 8,136 7,623 7,926 7,876
Commercial Passenger Transportation Regulation 400 325 160 50
Executive and Support Services 20 70 50 50
Total 9,232 8,655 8,655 8,655
Other Financing Transactions ($000)
Receipts 0 0 0 0
Disbursements – Public Transportation4 17,885 39,233 99,393 20,500
Net Cash Source (Requirements) (17,885) (39,233) (99,393) (20,500)
Revenue ($000)
Total Receipts 5 99,661 102,181 104,607 107,107
1   These amounts have been restated for comparative purposes only, to be consistent with Schedule A of the 2008/09 Estimates.
2   Operating expenses are reported net of funding from external sources, primarily the BC Transportation Financing Authority (see next page).
3   Public Transportation: Operating Expenses include government contributions towards public transit and coastal ferry services, as well as amortization and debt servicing costs on funds advanced for capital projects.
4   Other Financing Transactions: Disbursements — Public Transportation includes funds advanced for capital projects.
5   The majority of the Ministry’s revenue comes from Coquihalla Tolls (approximately $56 million annually) and the federal contribution to coastal ferry service (approximately $27 million annually).

BC Transportation Financing Authority — Statement of Earnings

  2007/08 Forecast 2008/09 Budget 2009/10 Plan 2010/11 Plan
Revenue ($000)
Dedicated taxes 1 442,000 453,000 461,000 470,000
Amortization of deferred contributions 2 151,107 146,032 142,477 139,368
Other revenue 3 56,943 64,567 66,481 92,711
Total 650,050 663,599 669,958 702,079
Expenditures ($000)
Amortization 322,213 335,494 353,756 368,822
Interest 4 197,040 251,477 306,957 372,166
Interior and rural side roads 5 35,000 25,000 23,000 23,000
Grant programs 6 132,745 25,528 35,000 48,500
Operations and administration 43,502 42,015 48,823 44,981
Total 730,500 679,514 767,536 857,469
Net Earnings (Loss) ($000)
Net Earnings (Loss) (80,450) (15,915) (97,578) (155,390)
Capital Plan ($000) 7
Transportation Improvements 943,495 781,337 525,540 548,993
1   Dedicated taxes include 6.75 cents per litre motor fuel tax and a provincial sales tax on short-term car rentals of $1.50 per day.
2   Contributions towards capital assets are deferred and amortized to income at the same rate as the related highway infrastructure is amortized to expense.
3   Other revenue includes property and economic development revenues.
4   Interest on borrowing used to finance construction work in progress is capitalized. Upon completion, related interest costs are expensed.
5   Improvements to interior and rural side roads are included in capital expenditures; repairs are expensed. Total interior and rural side roads program is $75 million per year to the end of 2007/08, then $55 million for 2008/09 and $50 million for 2009/10 and 2010/11.
6   Grant programs include grants paid under the transportation partnerships program for cycling, ports and airports, the provincial contribution to the Canada Line rapid transit project, and other projects.
7   Capital Plan numbers are net of federal funding.

Major Capital Projects

Kicking Horse Canyon

Objective Upgrade the 26-kilometre section of the Trans-Canada Highway to a modern, four-lane standard from the junction of Highway 95 at Golden to the western boundary of Yoho National Park. This highway corridor was originally constructed throughout the 1950s and is mostly two lanes wide. It is an important route for tourism and inter-provincial trade, serving as a gateway between British Columbia and the rest of North America. Additionally, by connecting remote resource extraction sites with processing, manufacturing and distribution centres, this portion of the Trans-Canada Highway is a key part of our province’s resource economies, particularly forestry and mining.

The Kicking Horse Canyon Project has four phases, of which the first two, the $64 million Yoho Bridge and the $143 million Park Bridge are complete and in use.

Costs The total cost was $207 million for the first two phases. The estimate for Phase 3 is $134.5 million.

Phase 3: Phase 3 has been separated into 2 segments: Golden Hill to West Portal and Brake Check to Yoho National Park. Federal funding partnership has been secured under the Building Canada Fund. The final Phase (4), includes the challenging and costly tunnel segment where future federal funding programs will be pursued.

Phase 2, 10 Mile (Park) Bridge opened to traffic August 31, 2007Benefits:

  • Safer roads and increased capacity on a critical provincial and national gateway;
  • Fewer road closures due to slides and accidents; and
  • Economic development through increased tourism and more efficient movement of goods and services.

Risks:

  • Challenging climatic and geographic conditions; and
  • Managing traffic during construction.

William R. Bennett Bridge

Objective Construct a new five-lane bridge to replace the existing 49-year-old Okanagan Lake Bridge which is now at the end of its economic and useful life, and reduce the increasing traffic congestion in Kelowna. A competitive procurement process resulted in the selection of SNC-Lavalin as the private partner to design, build, finance and operate the new bridge and related improvements to the highway approaches.

Costs The bridge and east approach capital improvements (design and construction) are estimated to cost $185 million.

Benefits:

  • Improved safety for all lake crossing traffic;
  • Substantial time and cost savings for the 50,000 daily bridge users;
  • Reduced congestion and travel time through the elimination of the conflict between marine and bridge traffic;
  • Installation of the Transition Span GirdersMajor reduction in carbon generation through reduced congestion;
  • Anticipated savings of up to $25 million over the 30-year life of the partnership agreement compared to conventional project delivery;
  • Reliable 75-year life for the new bridge; and
  • Economic development through increased tourism and more efficient movement of goods and services.

Risk:

Engineering and construction challenges, which are substantially transferred to the private sector through the public-private partnership.

Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project

Objectives Implement extensive improvements to the existing highway between Horseshoe Bay and Whistler to improve safety, reliability and mobility. The improvements will make travel along the corridor safer for residents, commuters, tourists and businesses moving goods.

Costs The Ministry chose a combination of procurement methods to deliver the highway improvements on the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Approximately two-thirds of the capital expenditures for the overall project are being undertaken through a 25-year performance-based public-private partnership between the Ministry and the S2S Transportation Group. The total authorized capital budget for the project is $796 million. The project is on schedule for completion in Fall 2009.

Learn more about the project at www.seatoskyimprovements.ca.

Further information about the Concession Agreement and the Province’s capital investment, visit: www.partnershipsbc.ca/files/project-seatosky.html.

Benefits:

  • Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project: Newly completed section through Furry CreekA safer road;
  • Increased capacity;
  • Reduced vehicle operating costs;
  • Fewer road closures due to slides and traffic incidents; and
  • First Nations’ participation and opportunities.

Risks:

  • Difficult terrain and unstable areas that the highway crosses;
  • The need to keep a large volume of traffic flowing while carrying out the improvements; and
  • The need to address municipal, First Nations, community and environmental issues.

Pitt River Bridge and Mary Hill Bypass/Lougheed Highway Interchange

Objective Construct a new high level six-lane bridge with an auxiliary eastbound truck lane to replace the existing Pitt River swing bridges connecting Pitt Meadows to Port Coquitlam. Construct a new interchange at the west end of the new bridge and provide intersection improvements to Lougheed Highway and Kennedy Road.

Costs The bridge and interchange project is estimated to cost $198 million. The federal government has announced a contribution of $90 million for the project.

Benefits:

  • Increased safety as a result of the elimination of a major intersection and counter-flow system, as well as a new dedicated pedestrian and cyclist pathway. The new bridge also enhances safety for marine navigation;
  • Replacement of the two existing swing bridges will increase the reliability of the Pitt River crossing as well as ensure the free-flow of marine traffic in the Pitt River. The new bridge will also create more reliable transit times;
  • The new bridge will improve traffic movement and reduce congestion by maintaining seven general travel lanes, 24 hours per day, eliminating backups caused by the current counter-flow system;
  • The environmental benefits of the project include reducing impacts on the river with significantly fewer piers than the existing swing bridges. The removal of the existing swing bridges eliminates the 18 piers that support them as well as allowing for the rehabilitation of land underneath and alongside the new bridge; and
  • The project has the flexibility to meet changing traffic demand. The bridge will be built to accommodate eight lanes in the future, four in each direction, which can be dedicated for HOV as the rest of the HOV network expands. The bridge will be designed to accommodate future rapid transit.

Risk Interruptions to construction due to the need to keep a large volume of traffic moving.

South Fraser Perimeter Road

Objective The South Fraser Perimeter Road Project, approximately 40 km long, is a new four-lane, 80 kilometres per hour route along the south side of the Fraser River extending from Deltaport Way in Southwest Delta to 176th Street, connecting to Highway 1, and to approximately 184th Street in Surrey where it will link with TransLink’s future Golden Ears Bridge. With connections to Highways 1, 15, 91, 99 and 17, and the Golden Ears Bridge, the route will take a significant step toward completing the network of major roads in the region.

Subject to the environmental assessment review currently underway, the initial phase of the project includes commencing pre-loading in areas with soft soils along the entire corridor, relocating utilities and completing property acquisition.

Costs The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $1 billion dollars. A federal contribution of $365 million for the corridor has been confirmed.

Benefits:

  • Improved movement of people and goods through the region via enhanced connections to the Provincial highway network;
  • Reduced east-west travel times, particularly for heavy truck movements by providing a continuous highway along the south side of the Fraser River;
  • Improved access to major trade gateways and industrial areas, and enhanced development in designated industrial areas along the south side of the Fraser River;
  • Improved safety and reliability; and
  • Restored municipal roads as community connectors by reducing truck traffic on municipal road networks.

Risks:

  • Property cost escalation in key industrial areas due to rapidly expanding development; and
  • Construction on soft soils.

Port Mann Bridge/Trans-Canada Highway

Objective The Port Mann/Highway 1 project includes widening the highway, twinning the Port Mann Bridge, upgrading interchanges and improving access and safety on Highway 1 from the McGill interchange in Vancouver to 216th Street in Langley, a distance of approximately 37 kilometres. The pre-design concept includes congestion-reduction measures such as high occupancy vehicle lanes, new transit and commercial vehicle priority access to highway on-ramps, improvements to the cycling network and a toll on the Port Mann Bridge. As well, the new Port Mann Bridge will be built to accommodate future light rail transit.

Current work includes advancing the project through an environmental assessment review and selecting a proponent through the Request for Proposal process.

Costs The bridge and highway project, projected to be completed in 2013, is estimated to cost $1.728 billion.

Benefits:

  • Reduced congestion;
  • Improved safety and reliability;
  • Improved local connections across the highway;
  • Improved access to and exit from the corridor; and
  • Implementation of congestion reduction measures to maintain corridor efficiency and increase transportation choice.

Risks:

  • Interruption to construction due to the need to keep a large volume of traffic moving; and
  • Property cost escalation in key industrial areas.

Transportation Investments

($millions) 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Total
Provincial Investments:
  Transportation Investment Plan
   Rehabilitation 146 146 146 438
   Interior and Rural Side Roads 55 50 50 155
   Heartlands Oil and Gas Road Rehabilitation 42 0 0 42
   Mountain Pine Beetle Strategy 30 30 30 90
   Highway 1 – Kicking Horse Canyon 8 15 16 39
   Sea-to-Sky Highway 110 43 0 153
   William R. Bennett Bridge 26 1 0 27
   Border Crossing Infrastructure 23 0 0 23
   Gateway Program 233 90 115 438
   Okanagan Valley Corridor 32 35 24 91
   Cariboo Connector Program 31 33 25 89
   Other Highway Corridors and Programs 79 102 68 249
   Airports and Ports 11 8 8 27
   Cycling Infrastructure 7 7 7 21
  Provincial Transit Plan
   Canada Line Rapid Transit Project 0 20 20 40
   Rail Rapid Transit Projects 2 29 111 142
   Rapid Bus Projects 23 16 16 55
   Buses and Other Transit Priorities 31 89 30 150
Total Provincial Investment 889 714 666 2,269
Self-supported and Investments Funded Through Contributions From Other Partners:
   Port Mann / Highway #1 55 118 375 548
   Canada Line (Federal Govt, TransLink, YVR, Private) 202 131 0 333
   Border Crossing Infrastructure (Federal Govt) 6 0 0 6
   Other Federal Contributions to Projects 96 114 116 326
   Total Self-supported and Investments Funded Through Contributions From Other Partners 359 363 491 1,213
Total Investments in Infrastructure 1,248 1,077 1,157 3,482

The multi-year Transportation Investment Plan for British Columbia was announced in February 2003. Excluding the major capital projects already discussed in the previous section, other key components of the plan include:

  • Highway Rehabilitation – Investing $438 million over three years (2008/09 through 2010/11) in road and bridge surfacing, bridge rehabilitation, seismic retrofits and highway safety improvements;
  • Interior and Rural Side Roads – Making these roads safer and more reliable, and improving connections between communities. The Ministry is investing $155 million from 2008/09 through 2010/11 to renew the interior and rural road networks;
  • Heartlands Oil and Gas Road Rehabilitation Strategy – Rehabilitating the existing public road infrastructure in the Northeast region of the province to help eliminate seasonal road restrictions and extend the winter drilling season for oil and gas exploration, thereby attracting new investment and creating jobs. This rehabilitation is being done in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Projected investment in 2008/09 is $42 million;
  • Mountain Pine Beetle Strategy – The Ministry is investing $30 million per year to facilitate the safe and efficient transportation of harvested Mountain Pine Beetle killed timber; to repair damage done to the highways system by the extraordinary increase in heavy truck traffic; and to help ensure that the goals and objectives of British Columbia’s Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan are met;
  • Border Crossing Program – Enhancing the free flow of goods approaching and through B.C.’s busiest border crossings. Approximately $326 million will have been invested in border infrastructure since the start of the program, with $224 million from B.C., and $102 million from the federal government’s Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program and Border Infrastructure Fund;
  • Gateway Program – Under provincial/federal cost sharing, the Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridors initiative is providing funding for South Fraser Perimeter Road, Pitt River Bridge and for rail grade separations;
  • Okanagan Corridor Improvements – In addition to replacing the Okanagan Lake Bridge with the new William R. Bennett Bridge, supporting trade and tourism through approved expenditures of $91 million over the next three years for projects that will reduce congestion. These projects include four-laning Highway 97 between Summerland and Peachland, upgrading highways 97 and 33 within Kelowna, and four-laning Highway 97A north of Vernon to Armstrong;
  • Cariboo Connector – Widening the 460-kilometre portion of Highway 97 from Cache Creek to Prince George to increase safety and decrease travelling times, while providing northern communities with a first-class trade corridor that meets the needs of a rapidly expanding economy. Phase 1 of the program, begun in 2005/06, will include approximately $200 million in projects initiated over a five-year timeframe. Federal cost sharing is being pursued under the federal Building Canada Plan and Mountain Pine Beetle Fund;
  • Other Highway Corridors and Programs – Improving the performance of highway corridors through projects such as passing lanes, four-laning, left turn slots, realignments and safety upgrades. Expenditures also include partnership projects, environmental enhancement programs, land settlements and interest during construction;
  • Transportation Partnerships Program – Helping communities and regions realize economic growth through contributions to strategic British Columbia port and airport developments, and helping to make cycling a safe and attractive alternative transportation option for commuters. To boost tourism and create new jobs and economic development opportunities, the program is partnering with others to expand airports and build a new container handling facility at the Port of Prince Rupert, the closest port in the Americas to the rapidly growing Asia Pacific market. The Ministry is reserving $27 million over the next three years for this program;
  • Expanded Cycling Program – A comprehensive Provincial Cycling Plan is being developed to compliment the Provincial Transit Plan in reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions by providing convenient and attractive alternatives to car travel. The Cycling Plan will also improve public health and fitness by promoting physical activity. Over the next three years, $21 million will be invested to help to make cycling a safe and attractive alternative transportation option for commuters. Additionally, the Gateway program includes a $60 million investment to construct cycling facilities on the Gateway corridors and cost sharing on enhancements to adjacent community cycling facilities; and
  • Transit Plan – The Provincial Transit Plan calls for a cumulative investment in new infrastructure from all partners (B.C., TransLink, federal and local governments) of $782 million from 2008/09 to 2010/11. The plan will help to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals by significantly increasing transit ridership, reducing automobile use, and providing a foundation of transportation infrastructure to support the development of healthier communities in the future. Investments will be made to increase the number of buses and SkyTrain cars, introduce rapid bus service on heavily travelled urban corridors, and expand the rail rapid transit network. Construction on the Canada Line will be complete by November 2009 and it will enter operation. Construction on the Evergreen Line is expected to be initiated in 2010/11. More information on the Provincial Transit Plan can be obtained at: www.th.gov.bc.ca/Transit Plan.
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