Development Area Sierra Yoyo Desan Road - Report Example

Development Area Name Course Lecturer Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 1.0 Development Proposal 2 1.1 Location and size 2 1.2 Nature 3 1.3 Construction Requirement 4 2. History and Development 4 3.0 Appropriateness of Development 6 References 9 1.0 Development Proposal 1.1 Location and size Sierra Yoyo Desan Road (SYD) is located east and north of Fort Nelson, and from the Alaska Highway it is about 15 km through the Clarke Lake Road. The road extends to about 173 km to the South Helmet airstrip. British Colombia Transportation Financing Authority (BTCFA) owns the road and it is also open to the public for industrial use ( British Columbia 2009). 1.2 Nature The proposal gives upgrading for Sierra Yoyo Desan Road which was facilitated by the Ministry of Transport (Governemnt of Columba 2009). In addition, it was that ministry which responsible of operation and maintenance. Indeed, prior to the upgrading, various concerns were raised on regard to its states including unsafe and poor conditions of Clarke Lake Road; low level of maintenance and repair of SYD road; and bottleneck which are as a result of single lane bridge at the Fort Nelson River (British Columbia 2003). 1.3 Construction Requirement The construction requirement primarily involved roadside brushing and placement of crushed gravel, 2 inch, so as to enhance running face and shoulder width leading to road safety, road travel and improved sight distances. Furthermore, the upgrading involved a stretch from 30.5 km to about 188 km while the width was upgraded to up to 8 meters. In addition, the length of the road was strengthened in order to support about 74 per cent of axle loads especially during the spring conditions. Additionally, the upgrading involved the replacement of the PetroCan Bridges and Snake River Bridge and other curves along the road (British Columbia 2009). In regard to price option, the proponents were required to prepare price and offer five incremental upgrades that are optional. A Concessionaire was needed to provide maintenance, operation and management (O&M) of the road for about fifteen years (Graeme et al. 2010). The O&M responsibilities began on August 1 2004 and cover the existing road (British Columbia 2003) 2. History and Development The construction of the road took place in British Columbia, a region which for a long time is known to be source of gas and oil. As such, the land has a history of producing gallons of oils and gases making it a rich region. In addition to this, the region is well endowed with forests whereby forest terrains are quite visible. Still, presence of many water bodies in a way results to land activities related to water. This basically implies that historically the settlers were involved in logging (British Columbia 1997). Basically, the land is primarily used as a mining region providing natural gas to other regions around. In addition to this the land has also has been conserved as a wildlife habitat given that they have variety of wildlife. The waters in the region also offer good source of fishing and other water sports. Most importantly, is that 16 per cent of the land base is primarily under protection and 11 per cent of the land base is declared to be under special resources management. Primarily, the land has little use in regard to urban issues. This is attributed to the fact that the land is majorly a mining site (British Columbia 2009). However, of important to note is that there are industries which came up as a result of the mining activities. Indeed, such industries are mostly related to the mining taking place in the region such refineries and processing industries. Other industries that have come up in the region resulting to urbanization include those related to tourism. Despite the coming up of the industries, the region is basically in a rural set. Not only is the land fully taken up by mining but there are elements of farming; that is, crop growing and animal keeping and fishing takes place in major rivers and lakes including Fort Nelson River, which is practiced somehow far from the mining area. Give the fact that the region is well endowed with physical resources as noted earlier; social resources have then formed a relation with the former. With the increased activities of mining due to the presence of minerals, social resources have been made available in order to ensure that the people living in the area are not exposed to various issues related to the physical resources. For instance, in case of fires at the mining region, fire-fighters are available to fight the fires. In addition, policemen are also available to keep law and order. In case of dangerous terrains; that is, in case of nature walks and hikes, trained personnel are available to ensure safety of the tourism. This is also seen in the wildlife habitat where appropriate personnel are designated to protect the forests and the wild habitats. In regard to the above, attractive forest terrains have indeed played a role in attracting tourists from various part of the neighbouring regions. Indeed, this has called for tour guides and related personnel primarily are involved in directing and guiding people across the terrains. Other personnel involved in these activities include the trainers and medical workers. More specifically, the road passing in the region has therefore, been used in the transporting raw materials from the mining regions and other processed products related to gas and oil. Indeed, the road basically provide route to the specific areas where economic activities are taking place at all seasons. However, despite the benefits gained by the presence of the road in the region, it is important to understand that increased economic and social activities resulted to increased traffic on the road slowing down transportation of goods and movement of people. 3.0 Appropriateness of Development Generally, the area has had a history of mining; as noted earlier, natural gas and oils are the main natural resources in the region. Most importantly, the road passing the region; that is, the SYD road has been used as a corridor to transport the gas and oil. In addition, it has at fewer occasions been used for social activities as a result of the wanting state of the road. However, with the upgrading, it became obvious that the region would benefit socially and economically. The upgrading road to a multi-user resource will indeed provide access to more than 27, 0000 square kilometres of forest terrains, gas and oil in the region. In addition, the fact that it will join other roads; that is, the Alaska Highway through Clarke Lake Road, making social activities easily accessible and cheaper. This will be as a result of decreased traffic that was previously perceived when the road was in poor state. Indeed, the development of the road is very significant for the region. Economically, the road will open the region to other economic activities. This is true given the fact that good infrastructure attracts investors who are ready to invest money in the region. In addition, it will also result to other infrastructure development in the region which links mining regions to the main road; that is, the SYD road. For instance, with the completion of the major road, there was an emergence of shale gas development along or off the major road. Indeed, initially, this was not in anybody’s thoughts (SYD 2009). Notably, coming up of this development will increase revenue opportunities for the region. Notably, increase in revenue opportunities primarily leads to improved social life in the Province. Additionally, owning to the upgrading of the road, various sales have been made on lands in the region generating more revenue. For instance, Crown land sold lands in the Horn River Basin earning about 1.5 billion pounds. This is minus 44 million pounds that was generated in the Cordova Basin (British Columbia 2009). Development of the road has also made it possible for other natural gas reserves to be discovered and explored. For instance, at the Horn River region alone, more than 39 trillion cubic feet were recovered. Indeed, this increases the revenue collected in that region to range from 8billion pound to 16 billion pound. Additionally, the upgrading of the road has assisted in quickening transport of goods and other service; for instance, it has been noted to transport gas from shale gas wells, the number of trucks needed are six more than those used in the convectional well. Therefore, the upgrading of the road has ensured that the goods; that is, the raw materials and finished goods have been transported in time. This has been attributed to the fact traffic has been reduced or eliminated from the roads leading to the mining areas (Marshall & Newnham 2004). In addition to economic gains, the region is also going to have physical development. Indeed, improvement of the road on itself is a primary physical development. This has and will continue to decrease road incidents and accidents in the region. This is attributed to the fact that increased physical feature of the road will improve road safety. In addition, bridges along the roads have also been improved resulting to not attractive physical features but safe ones. Socially, improved economic activities and more resources will indeed improve the lives of the people. Not only are social resources expected to increase but also be better. Given that people will be able to move from one place to another, other industries and social activities related to people interaction will also be on the increase. References Governemnt of Columbia . 2009, March 23. Sierra Yoyo Desan Road. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from Ministry of Natural Gas Development and Responsible for Housing: http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/OG/oilandgas/infrastructure/Sierra-Yoyo-Desan/Pages/default.aspx British Columbia, 2009, March 30. CApital project plan; Sierra Yoyo Desan road capital upgrade and paving. British Columbia , pp. 1-37. British Columbia. 1997. Report_Minister of Transportation and Highways. Vancouver: Wiley. British Columbia. 2003. Sierra Yoyo Desan Road project. British Columbia. British Columbia. 2003, July 27. Sierra Yoyo Desan Rod: registratio interest. British Columbia; Ministry of Energy and Mines , pp. 1-40. Graeme, H., Greve, C., & Boardman, A. 2010. International book on public-private partnership. London: Routledge. Marshall, D., & Newnham, J. 2004. Runningon empty; shifting to a sustainable energy plan for BC. New York: Wiley. SYD, 2009 About the project. file:///C:/Users/User/Desktop/SYD%20Road%20_%20The%20Sierra%20Yoyo%20Desan%20Resource%20Road%20Upgrade.htm Read More