ROGERS PASS, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 30, 2012) - Award-winning journalist Mark Richardson is celebrating the anniversary of the opening of the Trans-Canada Highway in the place where it happened 50 years ago today, in the Rogers Pass near Revelstoke, BC.

Richardson has been recording stories of the Trans-Canada Highway this summer as he retraces the iconic route from coast to coast. This two-month journey, in commemoration of the 100^th anniversary of the first road trip across Canada and the 50^th anniversary of the completion of the Trans-Canada Highway, began June 4^th in St. John's, NL and will finish August 8^th in Victoria, BC.

Richardson's celebration today will be less complicated than the original opening of the cross-Canada highway. In 1962, then-Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and then-B.C. Premier W.A.C. (Wacky) Bennett weren't getting along - and held competing ribbon cuttings.

Today marks a more personal milestone for Richardson as well - his 50^th birthday. He will celebrate along with his 12-year old son, Tristan, who has been keeping his father company for the majority of the Trek.

"Mark's unique sense of humour, excitement for adventure and thorough understanding of the Trans-Canada Highway's history have truly highlighted its significance to our country and those who rely on it every day, " said Jeff Walker, Vice-President of Public Affairs, CAA National. "It's the very human stories that we've read about over the past 57 days that have demonstrated to Canadians the practical impact the route has had, and will continue to have, on building our nation."

Having dipped his wheels in the Atlantic Ocean to kick off his journey, Richardson will complete his Trans-Canada Trek in Victoria by dipping his wheels in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, August 8^th. Canadians have been able to trace Mark's trip online on his Trans-Canada Trek blog, and at @WheelsMark and @CAA on Twitter. His weekly video blogs can also be viewed on TheCAAChannel on YouTube.

About Mark Richardson

Mark, formerly the editor of the Toronto Star's Wheels section and its wheels.ca website, is now the editor of the MFuel automotive supplements in Maclean's magazine. He is a veteran of North American road trips and has driven to every province, territory and state on the continent. His daily accounts of a family drive in an RV last July from Toronto to Tofino became the third most popular blog that month on thestar.com, behind only that newspaper's coverage of the Blue Jays and the Raptors. For this summer's 10-week road trip, he will be driving a yellow 2012 Chevrolet Camaro convertible provided by General Motors, and will be sponsored by the Canadian Automobile Association; once home, he intends to write a book about the experience.

About CAA

CAA is a federation of nine clubs providing more than 5.6 million Members with exceptional emergency roadside service, complete automotive and travel services, member savings and comprehensive insurance services. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to its members, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure and consumer protection.

Mark Richardson's 2012 Trans-Canada Trek Itinerary