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Highway improvement project funding for Newfoundland and Labrador Bill Matthews, MP for Random-Burin-St. George�s, Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, along with Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced joint funding of $4.2 million for highway improvements on the province�s west coast. The funding is made available under the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program. The project will rehabilitate 19.5 km of the Trans-Canada Highway between Flat Bay Brook and Fischells River on the province�s west coast. "Improvements to this section of the Trans-Canada Highway will not only enhance the safety and efficiency of the highway, but increase its capacity as well," said Mr. Matthews. "This project demonstrates the commitment the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have made to improving the province�s highway infrastructure." "Our government is cognizant of the need for upgrades and repairs to our provincial highway network," said Minister Rideout. "I anticipate that a public call for tenders will be issued shortly, with work set to begin this spring and be completed in the fall. This project is a step in the right direction to ensuring that the roads infrastructure in the area will be improved, and driving conditions for motorists will be more pleasant and safe. Safety for our residents is a high priority for our government." "These improvements will increase the level of safety on the Trans-Canada Highway between Flat Bay Brook and Fischells River and reduce the number of accidents," said Minister Lapierre. "The upgrade and repair of this section of highway has been a concern for many of my constituents and, as such, has been a priority issue for me as their representative in government," said Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and MHA for St. George�s-Stephenville East. "I am very pleased that the necessary work will be carried out, ensuring the safety of the area�s residents." Under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program agreement, the Government of Canada and the Government 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 Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program agreement, signed September 18, 2002, is part of the national $600 million Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program announced in April 2001. Federal funding for this project was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget. Statistics Canada estimates that for every million dollars spent on roadwork, 12 direct and eight indirect jobs are created. Media contact:
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The Government of Canada is committed to improving the economy and the quality of life for Canadians by investing in highway infrastructure across Canada. As part of this commitment, Transport Canada announced the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP) in April 2001. The program has two components: a $500 million highway construction component and a $100 million national system integration component. Under the highway component, the Government of Canada works 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 determines how much federal funding each province and territory receives with a minimum of $4 million per jurisdiction plus a share based on population. Provinces and territories cost-share these projects on a 50-50 basis. Under this formula, the total federal allocation for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is $11.5 million. Transport Canada has had five federal contribution programs with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador since 1993 for a total of $584 million. Before any project begins, an environmental assessment is undertaken that meets the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Funding for projects is conditional on the results of the assessment and receipt of environmental approvals. Under the second component of SHIP, the government provides $100 million nationally to fund initiatives that better integrate the transportation system. These include the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems across Canada and improvements to border crossings and 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 has invested more than $1.7 billion between 1993 and 2003 to improve highways across Canada. The Government of Canada 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. 2005 01 31 4:45 p.m. |
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