Rapid Bus Service Over Port Mann Bridge

An agreement signed between the Province of British Columbia and TransLink will ensure rapid bus service across the Port Mann Bridge, benefiting 21,600 commuters daily.

• The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Vancouver for the $180 million project, which is part of a broader vision for rapid transit throughout Greater Vancouver.
• The new eight-lane Port Mann Bridge will restore transit service across the bridge, as well as expand networks for HOV, cyclists and pedestrians. The express bus service will be connected directly to HOV lanes and will not mix with general traffic, so travel time will be as fast, or faster, than by car.
• It will provide reliable and frequent bus service between Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey and Langley, with connecting buses to Abbotsford and communities north of the Fraser River via the new Golden Ears Bridge.

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New Transmission Line Will Boost Northern B.C. Economy

The provincial government has asked the British Columbia Transmission Corp. (BCTC) to proceed with the $400-million Northwest Transmission Line (NTL) in northern B.C., opening the door to investment and community development, announced Premier Gordon Campbell.

• The new 287-kilovolt line will extend 335 km from Terrace to Meziadin Junction and north to Bob Quinn Lake, providing access to the electricity grid for customers while supporting the economic diversification of the area.
• The Northwest Transmission Line will stimulate job creation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving access to renewable resources and decreasing reliance on diesel-electric power generation for industry and communities.
• The project will depend on an environmental assessment, permitting and First Nations consultation.

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B.C. Commits $70 Million to Alzheimer’s Drug Study

As the lead funding partner in a new $78-million study of the effectiveness of Alzheimer's medications, the Province will provide PharmaCare coverage of three cholinesterase inhibitors for the first time, announced Premier Gordon Campbell.

• The Alzheimer's Drug Therapy Initiative, which begins this month, is expected to last up to three years and involve more than 25,000 British Columbians diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
• Based on early analyses, the Province estimates the cost at $78 million over three years, including approximately $70 million from the Province and $8 million expected to be contributed by drug manufacturers.
• The Alzheimer Society of B.C. reports that approximately 64,000 people in British Columbia currently suffer from some form of dementia.

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