No. H094/03 For releaseAugust 29, 2003$53 MILLION TO BE INVESTEDIN BAS-SAINT-LAURENT REGIONMontreal, August 29, 2003 - Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for Quebec, Martin Cauchon, together with Minister of Work, Social Security and Family Affairs and Minister responsible for Bas-Saint-Laurent and Côte-Nord, Claude Béchard, are pleased to announce on behalf of federal Transport Minister David Collenette and Quebec Minister of Transport Yvon Marcoux, that the Governments of Quebec and Canada are investing $53 million to improve Highway 185 in the areas of Rivière-du-Loup and Dégelis.This announcement is part of the overall $217 million Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program agreement signed today by federal Transport Minister David Collenette and Quebec Minister of Transport Yvon Marcoux.Under the agreement, the two governments will each pay one half of the cost of projects. Funding for the projects will depend on the results of mandatory environmental assessments."I am pleased that funds from the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program are being used for these highway improvements in the region. These projects will help maintain and upgrade existing roads which will enhance public safety and benefit communities," said Mr. Cauchon."I am pleased with the announcement that these financial resources, which have been available for some time, can now finally be put to use," said Mr. Béchard. "They will be used to maintain our assets, improve our strategic highway infrastructure, increase road safety and contribute to the economic development of the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region."-30 - Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. APPENDIXStrategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP)Highway Construction ComponentList of Projects Highway 185 Widening to a four-lane divided highway from Rivière-du-Loup to Saint-Antonin $30 million Widening to a four-lane divided highway, Dégelis $23 million Total $53 million
