No. H092/05
For release - April 29, 2005
WINDSOR — Chatham-Kent-Essex MP Jerry Pickard, on behalf of Federal Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre and Essex MPP Bruce Crozier, on behalf of Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar, joined forces today to kick off construction to widen Highway 401 leading to Canada's busiest border crossing.
Six-Laning Launched on StretchLeading to Windsor-Detroit Gateway
"Highway infrastructure is critical to Canada's ability to safely and efficiently transport people and goods, and to compete in the North American economy," said Mr. Pickard. "The people of Essex County will greatly benefit from the reduction of traffic congestion on this important stretch of highway."
"More than 25,000 drivers travel this section of highway every day," said Mr. Crozier. "It's important to improve the highway for the people who live and visit Essex County, and for our economic prosperity. More than $140 billion in imports and exports cross the border in Windsor every year."
Construction is now beginning to improve Highway 401 in Essex County on a 13-kilometre stretch from Puce Road to Manning Road. Work on this second phase includes:
Widening from four to six lanes
Building a concrete median barrier to prevent head on collisions
Improving both the Manning Road and Puce Road interchanges to handle more traffic and further enhance safety.
The $47-million contract was awarded to Coco Paving Incorporated of Windsor. Completion is expected by fall 2006. This is the second in a series of five projects involving reconstruction and widening of Highway 401 between Windsor and Tilbury. The first project to widen Highway 401 from Highway 77 to Essex Road 42 has been underway since spring 2004 and is expected to be complete by this fall.
This project is funded by the governments of Canada and Ontario under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP). Under the SHIP agreement, the two governments are providing joint funding of $336 million for highway improvement projects across Ontario.
The funding for this project comes on top of the April 21st commitment by the governments of Canada and Ontario to provide $129 million in funding under the Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving Strategy to improve the movement of goods and people at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway.
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Contacts:
Irène MarcheterreDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Transport, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
Danna O'BrienMinister's Office(416) 327-1815
Cathy CossaboomCommunicationsTransport Canada, Ottawa(613) 993-0055
Bob NicholsMinistry of Transportation(416) 327-1158
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news 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.
BACKGROUNDERSTRATEGIC HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
In the February 2000 budget, the Government of Canada committed to improve the economy and the quality of life for Canadians by investing up to $600 million over five years in highway infrastructure across Canada. In April 2001, the Government of Canada announced the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP). The program has two components: a $500 million highway construction component and a $100 million national system integration component.
Under SHIP, $500 million, including $15 million in administrative costs, is available to address the needs of Canada's highways. The program formally began in fiscal year 2002-2003. The Government of Canada is working 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 has been developed to distribute the $485 million available to the provinces and territories for road construction under SHIP. The formula consists of a minimum of $4 million per jurisdiction plus a share based on population and a 50-50 cost-sharing ratio with the province. Under this formula, the total federal allocation for the Province of Ontario is $168 million.
Environmental assessments that meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and Ontario environmental approvals will be undertaken before these projects begin. Funding for the projects is conditional on the results of these assessments and receipt of environmental approvals.
SHIP is providing $100 million nationally to fund initiatives that better integrate the transportation system. These include the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems across Canada, improvements to border crossings and improving 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 will have invested more than $1.9 billion between 1993 and 2005 to improve highways across Canada. The federal government also invests in transportation-related infrastructure through other programs such as the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the Border Infrastructure Fund.
The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario are each investing $168 million to develop a safe, efficient and integrated transportation system to build strong communities and a clean and healthy environment.
For more information on the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/SHIP/menu.htm.
For more information on the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, visit its website at www.mto.gov.on.ca.
April 2005
