The governments of Canada and British Columbia (BC) plan to extend financial support for the construction of the new Parsnip River Bridge near Mackenzie in BC.

The investment will improve safety of commuters and increase the capacity on Highway 97 North, a significant provincial transportation route.

This project is expected to provide job opportunities, as well as a better quality of life to people.

"The replacement of the Parsnip River Bridge will remove another height restriction from this corridor, and help keep commercial traffic flowing safely and smoothly."

Canada Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi said: "The Government of Canada is working in close partnership with British Columbia to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that help grow the middle class, promote sustainable development and increase public safety.

“By supporting improvements to critical transportation routes in the province, we will help local businesses move their goods to national and international markets and will foster long-term prosperity for years to come.”

The Government of Canada will contribute approximately C $13.6m ($10.2m) to the project. British Columbia will contribute the remaining fund for the project, which is estimated to cost approximately C $31.6m ($23.6m).

British Columbia Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone said: "We are continuing work to upgrade Highway 97 to ensure the safe, efficient movement of goods to support our resource sectors, as we committed to in BC on the Move.

“The replacement of the Parsnip River Bridge will remove another height restriction from this corridor, and help keep commercial traffic flowing safely and smoothly.”

Construction of the new bridge is expected to begin next year and will be completed by 2019.

The existing steel truss bridge that was built in 1953 will be replaced with a wider, open-top structure that will have ability to handle larger loads along the corridor for major commercial industries.