“This is not only about providing important support for travellers and commercial truck drivers, it also demonstrates this government’s commitment to improving safety, comfort and convenience at rest areas throughout the province and this kind of connectivity is an important part of that,” said Bond. “This rest area, along with the other four locations that we announced, demonstrates that partnerships like this one with TELUS and ICBC deliver valuable services to British Columbians.”
In total, 25 rest areas throughout the province will have Wi-Fi installed. The following rest areas will have Wi-Fi installed by the spring of 2017, with the additional 20 sites being delivered in the coming years.
- Britton Creek Hwy 5 – 67km south of Merritt
- Mt Terry Fox Hwy 16 – 6km east of Tete Jaune
- Galena Bay Hwy 23 – 49km north of Nakusp
- Glacier View Hwy 16 – 7km north of Smithers
- Taylor River Hwy 4 – 37km west of Port Alberni
Travellers will be able to identify which rest areas have Wi-Fi by the Wi-Fi graphic on the rest area sign. For an example of what the signs look like, click here: https://flic.kr/p/M5eykS or here: https://flic.kr/p/M5ey8Y
The expansion of public Wi-Fi at rest stops illustrates that technology and innovation supports a wide range of industries throughout British Columbia. Helping businesses such as commercial trucking companies grow is an important part of the #BCTECH Strategy and a key component of the BC Jobs Plan to strengthen British Columbia’s diverse innovation economy.
As part of B.C. on the Move, the province’s 10-year transportation strategy, the ministry is committed to delivering up to 30 rest-area improvement projects per year.
