No. H098/03 For releaseAugust 29, 2003GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND QUEBEC ANNOUNCE JOINT FUNDING OF $217 MILLION FOR HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTSMONTREAL, August 29, 2003 - Transport Minister David Collenette, and Quebec Transport Minister Yvon Marcoux, today signed an agreement under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program to invest some $217 million in Quebec's highway system between 2003 and 2006. This agreement is part of the $600 million Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program. "This agreement is an excellent example of cooperation between the Governments of Canada and Quebec," said Mr. Collenette. "The federal contribution of $108.5 million shows our commitment to enhancing safety and improving the overall condition of the province's highways." I am pleased that these financial resources, which have been available for some time, can now finally be put to use. They will be used to maintain our assets, improve our strategic highway infrastructure, increase road safety and contribute to the economic development of Quebec," said Mr Marcoux. In addition to signing the agreement, the Ministers announced nine projects in five regions. The projects will increase traffic capacity and enhance motorists' safety across Quebec. $53 million will be spent on improvements to Route 185, a key part of the Trans-Canada Highway linking Quebec and Atlantic Canada. To reduce congestion, $27.6 million will be invested in the Quebec City area on the Highway 20 bridges. As well, in the Montreal area, another $148.4 million will be invested in Highways 10, 15 and 40. Funding for the projects is conditional on the results of required environmental assessments. An appendix with additional information is attached. - 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 10 Rehabilitation of the Taschereau interchange, Longueuil $46.4 million Highway 15 Reconstruction of the highway, Boisbriand $17.5 million Repairs to the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce tunnel, Montreal $8 million Highway 20 Widening of bridges across the Chaudière River, Lévis $27.6 million Highway 40 Reconstruction of the roadway, eastbound, Montreal $22.5 million Reconstruction of the roadway, westbound, Montreal $35 million Rehabilitation of the Acadie traffic circle, Montreal $19 million 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* $229 million * This is the total cost of the work to be done over the next three years under the present agreement. Of this amount, $217 million will be shared equally by the Governments of Canada and Quebec, beginning on the day the agreement is signed, pursuant to the conditions on distribution of the federal infrastructure envelope among the provinces. The Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program has set aside $108.5 million for Quebec.
