Quesnel North-South Interconnector
The present Quesnel North-South Interconnector developed out of decades of proposals to bypass or reroute Highway 97 traffic around Quesnel’s downtown. Earlier proposals were commonly described as the Quesnel bypass and later as the North-South Connector. Different routes were considered over the years, so the historical bypass proposals should not be treated as identical in alignment to today’s Interconnector.
Chronological History
1949–1969 — Alex Fraser’s municipal years
Alex Fraser entered Quesnel municipal government in 1949. He later became Quesnel’s first mayor, serving from 1958 to 1969.
This is important to the history of the Interconnector because Fraser had many years of first-hand experience with Quesnel’s growth, Highway 97 traffic and transportation needs before entering provincial politics.
1969–1975 — Fraser goes to Victoria
Alex Fraser was elected MLA for Cariboo in 1969.
In 1975, he became British Columbia’s Minister of Transportation and Public Works.
The concept of diverting Highway 97 through-traffic and heavy commercial vehicles away from downtown Quesnel became associated with Fraser’s proposed Quesnel bypass.
The objective was essentially the same one that remains behind today’s North-South Interconnector: providing a safer and more efficient north-south Highway 97 route while reducing heavy through-traffic in downtown Quesnel.
1991 — Formal North-South Interconnector study
A formal Highway 97 North-South Interconnector Planning Study was prepared in January 1991 by G.D. Hamilton Associates Consulting Ltd.
The study examined conditions in downtown Quesnel and possible routes for a North-South connector.
By this point, the concept had developed from the earlier bypass proposal into a formally studied transportation project.
1994 — Province enters planning phase
In June 1994, the provincial government announced that it was entering the planning phase for the Quesnel North-South Connector.
The reasons included diverting heavy commercial traffic from downtown, improving safety, reducing congestion and improving travel times.
These remain essentially the same objectives associated with the project today.
1997 — Province protects the corridor
Provincial transportation announcements from 1997 specifically referred to corridor protection along the Highway 97 North-South Interconnector in Quesnel.
This demonstrates that the Province was actively preserving the possibility of constructing the route.
2008 — Province and City continue discussing the Interconnector
In December 2008, Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon met with Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom.
The provincial government subsequently reported that Mayor Sjostrom had discussed future highway projects with the minister, specifically including the proposed North-South Interconnector.
The mayor said the minister had pledged to work with the City on Quesnel-area highway issues, particularly the Interconnector.
2010 — Routes examined again
Further work was undertaken on the North-South connector.
Consultants reviewed earlier studies, including the 1991 planning study, and examined three possible routes.
Public and business consultation concerning the alternatives was undertaken.
2013 — Coralee Oakes elected MLA
Coralee Oakes was elected MLA for Cariboo North in 2013.
By the time she entered provincial office, the concept of a Quesnel bypass/North-South Interconnector had already been under consideration for decades.
2015 — Province funds Highway 97 transportation study
The Province announced $300,000 over two years for a Highway 97 corridor analysis examining traffic patterns and Quesnel’s long-term transportation needs.
Oakes publicly supported the study and spoke about the importance of improving the movement of goods and people through Quesnel.
This provides clear evidence of her involvement in Quesnel transportation issues as MLA.
2016 — First phase completed
The first phase of the Highway 97 Quesnel Transportation Study examined existing conditions along the Highway 97 corridor.
The Phase 1 report was completed in September 2016.
2017 — Consultation and transportation planning continue
Public consultation continued, including an open house in April 2017.
The Province described the transportation study as developing a 25-year strategy containing short-, medium- and long-term improvements for Quesnel.
Oakes also participated in provincial announcements concerning other Highway 97 improvements in Quesnel.
2018 — Interconnector selected as long-term priority
The Quesnel Transportation Study was completed.
After studying alternatives and conducting public consultation, the North-South Interconnector was recommended as a long-term priority.
The Province proceeded with further engineering work so that the route could be refined and a business case developed for future funding.
The Province subsequently reported that more than 80 percent of participants in the public consultation preferred the Interconnector option.
Quesnel City Council also actively supported the project.
2019 — Preliminary design begins
In May 2019, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure began preliminary design of the proposed Interconnector.
The proposal included approximately 3.7 kilometres of new Highway 97 and replacement of both the Quesnel River Bridge and the rail crossing bridge.
Engineering, traffic and safety analysis, environmental work and further consultation were undertaken.
At this stage, however, the Ministry specifically stated that the project did not have funding for detailed engineering or construction.
The preliminary work was intended to refine the design and develop the business case required to seek future funding.
2020 — Preliminary design completed
The preliminary design was completed in March 2020.
The work included:
• development of the proposed alignment;
• updated construction-cost estimates;
• traffic and safety analysis;
• environmental assessment;
• examination of property impacts;
• intersections and pedestrian connections;
• trail connectivity; and
• development of a business case.
The Province released the completed preliminary design and a 3-D animation later in 2020.
The project had therefore reached the preliminary-design stage, but it had not been funded for detailed design or construction.
2020–2023 — Project does not advance to construction
The Interconnector remained at the preliminary-design stage.
It continued to be identified as a proposed long-term transportation improvement but did not receive the funding necessary to proceed to detailed design or construction.
February 27, 2024 — Oakes raises the project in the Legislature
Near the end of her term as MLA, Coralee Oakes spoke in the BC Legislature about road infrastructure and specifically referred to the North-South Interconnector.
She indicated that she had not seen the North-South Interconnector proceed and expressed hope that the provincial government would make a commitment to it.
This is important because Oakes’s own remarks confirm that the project still lacked the commitment necessary to move forward in 2024.
2024 — Oakes runs as an Independent
After BC United withdrew from the 2024 provincial election, Coralee Oakes sought re-election as an Independent in Prince George–North Cariboo.
She was defeated by Conservative candidate Sheldon Clare.
During Oakes’s years as MLA, the modern Interconnector proposal had advanced through the Highway 97 transportation study and preliminary-design process.
Oakes advocated for Quesnel transportation projects and the Interconnector during her time as MLA.
However, when her service as MLA ended in 2024, the Interconnector had not received funding to proceed to detailed design or construction.
February 2025 — Province confirms project remains unfunded
The Province’s North-South Interconnector project information stated:
“The project has completed the preliminary design phase. This project is not currently funded to advance beyond this phase.”
That is the provincial government’s own description of the project’s status.
2025 — Sheldon Clare raises the Interconnector
New Cariboo-North MLA Sheldon Clare began raising the Interconnector and the condition of Quesnel’s Highway 97 bridges in the Legislature.
He also drew attention to the long history of the project, including the North-South Connector planning undertaken decades earlier with singing Quesnel Bridge is Falling Down.
June 2025 — Mayor Ron Paull raises Alex Fraser’s original vision
Appearing before the BC Legislature’s Finance Committee in Quesnel, Mayor Ron Paull described the North-South Interconnector as Quesnel City Council’s number-one strategic priority.
He traced the concept back more than 50 years to former Quesnel mayor and later Transportation Minister Alex Fraser and the proposed Quesnel bypass.
Paull told the committee that Quesnel was still pursuing Fraser’s vision decades later.
2025–2026 — City continues lobbying
The City of Quesnel continued advocating for provincial funding for the Interconnector.
The City identified the condition of the Quesnel River Bridge and CN Rail Overhead Bridge, Highway 97 congestion, safety and heavy commercial traffic through downtown as reasons for advancing the project.
May 2026 — Project still awaiting advancement
MLA Sheldon Clare questioned Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth in the Legislature about what would be required to move the North-South Interconnector from preliminary design into detailed design and construction.
The minister explained that provincial capital-project decisions consider factors including cost, cost-benefit analysis, traffic volumes, safety and performance.
No construction commitment was announced.