New climate action funding coming for Thompson-Okanagan

The new $20.7 million Climate Adaptation Program will see a range of projects throughout B.C. deal with climate change effects on local highway networks.

Approximately $4.4 million has been dedicated to projects in the Thompson Okanagan and Cariboo region.

Projects include riverbank erosion protection, creek channel training, culvert upsizing, flood protection works, slope erosion protection and avalanche system maintenance.

High-intensity rainfall events, extreme freshet seasons and flooding are all threats to the B.C. highway network that are directly related to climate change, Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure said.

“These events have been increasing in intensity due to climate change, and this initiative ensures a reliable transportation system will be in place for future emergency events as well as the continued movement of people, goods and services.”

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for the transportation network to be reliable, both to ensure people in rural communities can get to medical facilities quickly and so first responders, medical personnel and medical supplies can get to communities in a timely manner.

The program is also expected to create additional jobs to complete the work.

The funding is part of the $10 billion B.C. Economic Recovery Plan .