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NLIS 3 September 22, 2003 (Works, Services and Transportation) Government of Canada and
Province of Newfoundland and Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and MP (Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte) Gerry Byrne, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, together with Newfoundland and Labrador Works, Services and Transportation Minister Jim Walsh, today announced that the Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador will contribute joint funding of $13.8 million for three highway improvement projects in the province. The funding falls under the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP). "The Trans Canada Highway is essential to trade and tourism in this province," said Minister Byrne. "The improvements made to the highway infrastructure in this province will enhance public safety for the benefit of residents and visitors to Newfoundland and Labrador." "I am pleased that federal funds from the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program are being used to upgrade the Trans Canada Highway," said Mr. Collenette. "These improvements to the Trans Canada Highway are vital to the economy and enhance not only safety but the capacity to move goods quickly and efficiently." "I am thrilled we are moving forward with these projects," said Minister Walsh. "With this funding we will be able to replace two bridges along the highway and carry out much needed rehabilitation along one of the worst sections of the Trans Canada Highway in this province." The three projects will result in improvements to the Trans Canada Highway in Newfoundland and Labrador. In the first project, the existing South Branch River Bridge, built in 1952, will be replaced, and 1.5 kilometres of the Trans Canada Highway will be realigned. The new bridge, at an estimated cost of $4 million, will be able to withstand heavier loads. In the second project, 42 kilometres of the Trans Canada Highway, stretching from the Chance Cove intersection to Goobies, will be rehabilitated. Work will be done to improve drainage, seven kilometres of climbing lanes will be added, and an interchange will be constructed at Arnold�s Cove. The estimated cost is $8.8 million. The third project will replace the Rattling Brook (Penstock) Bridge on the Trans Canada Highway near Norris Arm. The original bridge, constructed in 1969, will be rebuilt to improve safety. The estimated cost is $1 million. Under the SHIP agreement, the Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador are providing joint funding of $23 million until 2006 for highway improvement projects in the province. The Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador SHIP agreement, signed September 18, 2002, is part of the national $600 million SHIP program announced by Mr. Collenette in April 2001. Federal funding for this project is built into the existing financial framework. Media contact:
BACKGROUNDER In the February 2000 budget, the Government of Canada committed to improve the economy and the quality of life for Canadians by investing up to $600 million over five years in highway infrastructure across Canada. In April 2001, Transport Minister David Collenette announced the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP). The program has two components: a $500 million highway construction component and a $100 million national system integration component. Under SHIP, $500 million, including $15 million in administrative costs, is available to address the needs of Canada�s highways until March 2006. The program formally began in fiscal year 2002-2003. The Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories to identify those parts of the national highway system that - because of growing traffic and increasing trade - need immediate attention. This will result in a safer and more efficient highway system for all Canadians. An allocation formula has been developed to distribute the $485 million available to the provinces and territories for road construction under SHIP. The formula consists of a minimum of $4 million per jurisdiction plus a share based on population and a 50-50 cost-sharing ratio. Under this formula, the total federal allocation for Newfoundland and Labrador is $11.5 million. Under previous joint highway funding agreements since 1993, Transport Canada contributed $574 million to Newfoundland and Labrador. This brings the total funding from Transport Canada to $585.5 million. An environmental assessment that meets the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act will be undertaken before projects begin. Funding for the projects is conditional on the results of this assessment. SHIP will also provide $100 million nationally to fund initiatives that better integrate the transportation system. These include the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems across Canada, improvements to border crossings and better transportation planning. Intelligent Transportation Systems include applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management and vehicle safety. SHIP continues the Government of Canada�s long tradition of highway funding that started more than 80 years ago. In fact, Transport Canada will have invested more than $1.7 billion between 1993 and 2003 to improve highways across Canada. The federal government also invests in transportation-related infrastructure through other programs such as the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the Border Infrastructure Fund. For more information on the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, please visit : www.tc.gc.ca/SHIP/menu.htm. For more information on the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the Border Infrastructure Fund, please visit: www.infrastructurecanada.gc.ca 2003 09 22 4:00 p.m. |
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