Series GR-3433 - Engineering branch photographs

The Dept. of Highways was established in 1955 with the enactment of the Department of Highways Act (SBC 1955, c. 33). Prior to 1955, the Highways Branch of the Dept. of Public Works was responsible for all functions relating to the management of highways. The mandate of the Dept. of Highways included the construction and maintenance of all government roads, bridges, ferries, wharves, and other works with respect to provincial highways. In 1961, the department was divided into four branches: Construction Branch, Location Branch, Materials Testing Branch, and Traffic Branch. In 1975 the functions of both the Dept. of Highways and the Dept. of Public Works were merged to form a new agency with the Dept. of Highways and Public Works (OIC 3842/75).

The Dept. of Public Works was established in 1908 with the enactment of the Department of Public Works Act (SBC 1908, c. 41). The Dept. of Public Works was a successor to the Lands and Works Dept. The mandate of the Dept. of Public Works included construction and maintenance of government offices and buildings, public highways, bridges, wharves, river-bank protection, and maintenance of ferry and steamboat services.

In 1947 the work of the department was divided into district offices, an Architect’s Branch, Accounting Branch, Engineering Branch, and Equipment Branch. The department was also responsible for boiler inspection and electrical energy inspection.

In 1955, the responsibility for highways was transferred to the newly formed Dept. of Highways. At this time, the Dept. of Public Works, under the revised Department of Public Works Act (SBC 1955, c. 65), consisted of the Architectural Branch, Boiler Inspection Division, Electrical Energy Inspection Division, and Gas Inspection Division.

In 1975 the Dept. of Public Works was dissolved and its functions were merged with the functions of the Dept. of Highways to form the Dept. of Highways and Public Works (OIC 3842/75).