Municipal Affairs
July 15, 2009
City of Corner Brook to
Benefit from
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund
The City of Corner Brook will undertake
major reconstruction of West Valley Road, thanks to funding of just
under $3.6 million through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
The funding was announced today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield,
Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA);
the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs; and Corner
Brook Mayor Charles Pender.
"This project will result in immediate and long-term safety improvements
for vehicular and pedestrian traffic in a very busy part of the City of
Corner Brook," said Minister Ashfield. "Our investment of just under
$1.2 million will allow the city to improve the street surface and also
replace the water and sewer services in the area which will help ensure
a safer, cleaner community."
"We are pleased to contribute over $1.3 million to upgrade roads and
improve curb and sidewalk conditions for residents and visitors to the
City of Corner Brook," said Minister Whalen. "This investment supports
our government's efforts to upgrade and modernize municipal
infrastucture and enhance services in communities throughout
Newfoundland and Labrador."
The project includes complete reconstruction of approximately 420 metres
of West Valley Road from the intersection of O'Connell Drive to the
intersection of Elswick Road, including work on underground services
which involves separation of the combined sewer system and replacement
of the water main.
The improvements to the sewer system will contribute to the city's plans
concerning full sewage treatment and the work on the water main upgrades
will improve fire protection, water quality, and water service to
residents.
"This section of West Valley Road is a collector street and directly
services 32 local residences and six businesses, plus the regional
hospital," said Mayor Pender. "Reliability of the water and sewer
services will be improved. The separated storm sewer system will
contribute to the overall well-being of residents and reduce
environmental impacts."
"The enhancement of this section of West Valley Road is a welcomed
improvement," said the Honourable Tom Marshall, MHA for Humber East.
"Many improvements are occurring in the City of Corner Brook as
significant infrastructure projects are underway and this roadwork is
welcome and complementary to those projects."
The Government of Canada is contributing $1,197,876 and the Government
of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $1,317,664, while the City
of Corner Brook will fund $1,078,088.
The Canada-NL MRIF Agreement is administered jointly by the Department
of Municipal Affairs on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador, and ACOA, on behalf of Infrastructure Canada.
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Media contacts:
Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
709-772-2935 |
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Mayor Charles Pender
Office of the Mayor
City of Corner Brook
709-637-1500 |
Larry Wells
Executive Assistant, Honourable Tom Marshall, MHA Humber East
709-637-2575
larrywells@gov.nl.ca
|
2009 07 15
11:00 a.m. |