No. H053/03For release - June 5, 2003
OTTAWA — Marcel Proulx, MP (Hull-Aylmer) and Parliamentary Secretary to Transport Minister David Collenette, today released, on behalf of Minister Collenette, an environmental assessment report on the impact of completing McConnell-Laramée Boulevard in Gatineau, Que., which concludes that the project could proceed.
"With three kilometres remaining, the project is expected to last more than two years at cost of about $55 million. It will include traffic circles, and give access to Highway 50, and a recreational path for safe walking, inline skating and cycling in Gatineau Park," said Mr. Proulx. "Once complete, McConnell-Laramée Blvd. will stretch 12 kilometres between St-Laurent Blvd. in the Hull sector and Highway 148 in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau."
In accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, this assessment was required because funding will be shared between the governments of Canada and Quebec under the Outaouais Road Agreement. The project design has been modified to reflect recommendations from the federal and provincial assessments, as well as the local community. For example, part of the proposed corridor has been moved to better protect the environment.
"I am pleased that, in light of the report's findings, the proposed final phase of construction on McConnell-Laramée will not have a major negative impact on the biological, human or physical environments," said Mr. Collenette. "The finished boulevard will ease traffic significantly for residents and visitors in the Outaouais."
Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) prepared this report in cooperation with the National Capital Commission (NCC), which owns the federal lands in Gatineau Park. Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada also provided their expertise.
The public was consulted on the project design during open meetings in March and April 2001 as part of the provincial environmental process. This input was also considered in preparing the federal report, which is available online at www.tc.gc.ca/programs/surface/highways, and in print at the Maison du Citoyen Library in the Hull sector.
Comments are invited for 10 working days until June 19, 2003, and may be submitted by mail to Surface Programs, AHSA, Transport Canada, Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0N5, by e-mail at dickeyr@tc.gc.ca, or by fax at (613) 990-9639.
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Contact:
Amy ButcherPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of TransportOttawa, Ontario(613) 991-0700
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