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Archival description
Tourism and promotional films and videos Roads--British Columbia--Design and construction
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Deas Island tunnel

The item is a release print of a documentary film made 1957-1959. It shows the planning and construction of the Deas Island Tunnel, and its official opening in July 1959 by Queen Elizabeth. It was presented in co-operation with Foundation of Canada Engineering Corporation Ltd. and Christiani & Neilsen Canada Ltd.

Eyes west! -- to British Columbia

The item is a composite print of a promotional film from 1951. "In this film we quickly see B.C.'s industrial might unfold -- paper, cellulose, mining, oil pipeline, and finally highways and happier living." (BC Electric film catalogue, 1959)

Life line

The item consists of three reels of unedited film footage from an educational film, 1961-1962. It shows method of painting the highway center line, and its value to driving safety.

Men, mountains and the challenge

The item is a composite print of a documentary film made ca. 1957. It shows highway construction in BC. Includes planning and surveys; opening of contractors' bids by Highways Minister Gaglardi; clearing of route by heavy equipment; culvert assembly; drilling and blasting rock; road bed preparation; paving. Traffic control and overpass construction are also discussed. Sections of Highways 1 and 1A are shown, and Premier W.A.C. Bennett presides at an official opening.

Rogers Pass

The item is a composite print of a promotional film made from 1959 to around 1963. It outlines the history of Rogers Pass and the construction of the section of the Trans-Canada Highway that runs through it. Includes a re-enactment of the pass's discovery in 1881 by Major A.B. Rogers.

The Fraser Canyon

The item is a composite print of a documentary film made 1957 to 1959. It tells the history of the Fraser Canyon, from Simon Fraser through to the surveying of the Cariboo Road during the Cariboo gold rush, and the construction of the modern-day highway through the canyon. Includes re-enactments of historical scenes (explorers, prospectors, Royal Engineers building road, etc.) and early film footage of the highway, ca.1920s.

The new Island Highway

The item is a composite print of a travelogue film made 1958-1959. It compares the Vancouver Island highway of before World War I with the new highway completed in 1959. The film opens with archival b&w footage of Victoria and the Malahat Drive. Modern footage shows the planning, surveying and construction of the new highway, especially the Malahat section. Some of the attractions along the new highway are also shown, including shots of scenery, resorts, fishing and petroglyphs.