The governments of Canada and British Columbia (BC) will invest C$24m ($17.9m), for expanding 3.4km stretch of Highway 16 from two lanes to four.

The Highway 16 expansion between Bunce Road and east of Jensen Road will improve safety of road users and reduce congestion.

Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi said: "Every day, middle class Canadians rely on safe and secure roads to get to their destinations and back home again, and to efficiently move goods throughout the country.”

"The expansion will improve traffic flow and increase safety for residents and travellers."

“The Government of Canada is proud to support the Highway 16 improvements on the south-west side of Prince George.

"The expansion will improve traffic flow and increase safety for residents and travellers."

Road upgrades will be carried out at the intersections of Bunce and Gauthier Road, Sykes and Blackwater Road, and Buckingham and Haldi Lake Road.

Through Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP), the Canadian government will invest C$10.1m ($7.5m) in this project. British Columbia will provide the remaining C$13.9m ($10.4m).

British Columbian Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone said: “When this four-laning is completed, it will increase the safety and capacity of Highway 16 for those travelling to and from BC’s northwest and for those who rely on this corridor for their commute.

“The project will not only extend the existing four-laning of Highway 16, it will also upgrade a number of intersections, significantly improving safety at those locations.”

The road improvements include addition of sidewalks, improvement of lighting system and installation of traffic signals.