Improved cell coverage coming to Hwy 4 between Tofino, Port Alberni
Telecommunications giant Rogers is expanding wireless service along Highway 4 between Port Alberni and Tofino.
Cell service is expected to improve along an 85-kilometre stretch of the highway, once six new cellular towers are built and two existing ones are upgraded, according to the company.
The new cell coverage is expected to improve safety for commuters, and "bridge the digital divide" for more rural areas of the island, says Rogers.
"For people travelling between Tofino and Port Alberni, whether they’re locals, people visiting family, or those here to enjoy the beauty of the West Coast, Highway 4 can be cause for concern," said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim, in a release Monday.
"Our government is hard at work making safety improvements to the highway and increasing cellular coverage along the same stretch, meaning people will be even safer," she said.
No timeline on when the Highway 4 cell expansion project would complete was announced Monday.
Rogers has partnered with the province to expand cell coverage along several highways across the province, including Highway 14 on Vancouver Island.
Last year, Rogers announced it was improving cell coverage along a 70-kilometre stretch of Highway 14 between Sooke and Port Renfrew.
Correction
A previous version of this story stated that Rogers had partnered with the B.C. government on this project.
While the company has partnered with the province on other cell projects, this project is being entirely funded by Rogers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.