BC spending $67M on upgrades to intersection cameras throughout province

The BC government announced a project that would see all intersection cameras in the province upgraded, with a price tag of $67 million. 

According to the Province, all 140 intersection safety cameras will be replaced with modern technology as part of this endeavour.

The cameras that are being replaced operate through the intersection safety camera program, which helps reduce dangerous driving behaviours, such as red-light running and excessive speeding. 

The aim of the cameras is focused on crash prevention and improving safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

“Intersections are where drivers, cyclists and pedestrians all share the road, and where some of the most serious crashes in BC occur,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General and minister responsible for ICBC. 

“Upgrading these cameras with modern technology will help ensure a proven road safety program continues to reduce dangerous driving and prevent crashes for years to come.”

The cameras are dispersed throughout the province with a focus on high-risk intersections in Metro Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna and Prince George. 

The cameras record drivers who run red lights, and 35 of the 140 cameras also record drivers who speed. 

Greater Victoria only has two of these cameras which only capture red-light runners. They are located at the intersections of Shelbourne Street and Hillside Avenue, as well as the Trans-Canada Highway and Tillicum Road.

There are warning signs at each location to notify drivers that the cameras are there.

ICBC is leading the replacement endeavour, and has selected Jenoptik Canada through a competitive procurement process to supply, install and maintain the cameras for as long as 10 years. 

The Province noted that the new cameras will have higher resolution, but will have similar enforcement and data capabilities as the previous cameras.

The camera replacement project will take place in phases and work has already begun.