Twenty-one infrastructure projects across B.C. are getting underway as competitive bidding saves the Province $42 million, $5 million of which is going to roadwork in Fort St. John.

“I think it’s very good news. Any time we can get more roads resurfaced and made safer and better opportunities for industry to get out to their sites is all very positive for our area,” said Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm.

Beatton River, Beatton Park, Prepatou, Milligan and Buick Creek roads will receive patch paving. Ferry Road will have a first-time hard surfacing of five kilometres. The provincial government is funding $2.75 million for this work, with the remainder of the funding coming from the federal government and is scheduled for completion by March 1, 2011.

Funding for the project is the result of savings made on competitive bids on previously announced Infrastructure Stimulus Fund highway projects.

“The roads are always in need,” said Pimm. “We’re always trying to improve the roads in the area. There’s a never ending amount of roadwork that can be done in the large area that we have in this region.”

That large area includes the main city streets, which will not be receiving any funding through these projects. Pimm said most of this work will be in rural areas.

“It’s an ongoing project and certainly something that I remain focused to, and it certainly is a high priority for me to make our roads and infrastructure safer for all of our residents and our industry.”

In the 21 new projects under this plan, it is estimated more than 270 direct jobs will be created.

“The Government of Canada is committed to creating jobs, strengthening our economy and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Canadians,” said Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris in a press release.

The federal government provides $4 billion to the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which then provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready projects across the country. Since March 2009, $500 million of federal investment has gone to over 400 projects across B.C.

Since October 2008, over $5.3 billion has been committed for projects across B.C., which are estimated to create over 34,000 construction jobs.