Islanders driving east of Prince Rupert should experience smoother and safer travels, as the Ministry of Transportation will be upgrading Highway 16 maintenance classification from Class B to Class A."These changes represent a significant increase in the maintenance commitment..., and will result in more frequent patrols and quicker response times, and more plowing, snow removal, and salt and sand applications," said a ministry news release.The upgrades effect Highway 16 from Rupert to the Alberta border, as well as Highway 97 North from Cache Creek to north of Fort St. John.Highway 16 has claimed many lives over the years. CBC news reported 22 people died on that stretch of road this winter alone. Eight of those victims died within a period of just 11 days.If the injury and death toll on the highway didn't encourage the classification change, the ministry's commitment to providing access for resource development did."These highways are critical corridors supporting liquefied natural gas development and other industrial growth in the North," according to the ministry.