The proposed Gotta Go service will go ahead after receiving elector consent through an Alternative Approval Process that finished on Friday, July 30.
The Gotta Go service will allow the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) to partner with the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Public Services & Procurement Canada, Northern BC Tourism Association and other agencies to build, operate and maintain wheelchair-accessible washroom amenities, picnic benches, tourist information kiosks, signage for safety and emergency management, and cell phone services in two Alaska Highway pullouts – Sikanni Brake Check at km 250, and Steamboat at km 536.
The proposal to provide the new service came about after the Gotta Go partners’ successful 2018 pilot site at the Trutch pullout at km 319.
PRRD Electoral Area B Director Karen Goodings says providing a rest area and increasing cell coverage makes the highway safer, and providing information to travelers on the Alaska Highway is a benefit to key regional economic drivers, including tourism.
“Gotta Go is an important part of developing our transportation and tourism infrastructure. We all need safe and healthy washroom facilities, travelers need to be able to check their phones or call for help during emergencies, and truckers need a place to stop if they have houred out,” says Goodings. “Those of us who live and travel in our region and on this remote stretch of the Alaska Highway know how vital the addition of these new rest areas will be and we appreciate the cooperation of all involved to make it happen.”
