The B.C. government has started engineering work to widen sections of the main route from Alberta into northeast B.C., the first step to a four-lane industrial route from the provincial border to Fort St. John.

The region has seen a surge of natural gas exploration and development in recent years, and the project is billed as a way to keep up with growing industrial demand.

“This will help ensure our highways remain safe for all local and commercial motorists, while supporting increased economic activity in the Peace,” said Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom, MLA for Peace River South.

Engineering work is funded for seven sections, including a 3.3 km section of Highway 2 at Tupper Creek, widening of Highway 2 approaching Dawson Creek and widening Highway 97 on the south side of the Peace River at Taylor.