Canada’s British Columbia (BC) Government has announced a $2.5bn transportation plan, which involves critical investments and improvements that will be carried out throughout the province.

With an aim to improve safety, maintain and replace aging infrastructure, the ten-year ‘BC on the Move’ plan will support trade for BC’s expanding resource sectors through Canada’s Asia-Pacific gateway.

Inputs for the plan were obtained from an extensive engagement process in late 2014.

As part of the process, several meetings were held with key stakeholders throughout BC, including First Nations, local governments, chambers of commerce and port and airport authorities.

"The best possible transportation network is vital to the daily lives of every single British Columbian."

A public survey was also undertaken by the government with almost 13,000 responses.

BC aims to keep its highways, roads, bridges and side roads in good condition.

BC on the Move includes an investment of over $800m over the next three years for existing infrastructure and almost $1bn will go toward expansion of major highways and the network.

The plan includes a new provincial trucking strategy in which industry will work together to improve the safety, efficiency and economics of trucking in the region.

The industry will also collaborate with First Nations on projects that support economic activity and improve accessibility for persons with limited mobility by upgrading rest areas.

New investments will also be made in bike lanes and trails through partnerships with local communities.

BC minister of transportation and infrastructure Todd Stone said: "The best possible transportation network is vital to the daily lives of every single British Columbian and is one of the most important foundations of a strong economy.

"BC on the Move is the roadmap for the next ten years on how we will expand and improve our transportation network to ultimately improve the quality of life for us all."