No. H090/05
For release - April 28, 2005
WHITEHORSE — Larry Bagnell, M.P. (Yukon) on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, together with Yukon Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon on behalf of Yukon Highways and Public Works Minister Glenn Hart, today announced $1.3 million in funding for the rehabilitation of the Takhini River Bridge along the Alaska Highway. The funds will be used to increase load capacity and improve highway safety.
"This is an important project for Yukon," said Mr. Bagnell. "The rehabilitation of this bridge will help ensure that Yukoners receive necessary goods and supplies reliably and economically."
"The funding will be used to improve Yukon's current transportation system," said Minister Lapierre. "Projects like this confirm the Government of Canada's commitment to a transportation system that meets environmental, social and economic goals of all Canadians."
"The Takhini River Bridge is an important link in the Alaska Highway transportation system," said Mr. Hart. "Joint contribution programs like SHIP assist the Yukon to upgrade its essential bridge infrastructure."
"For almost 40 years, thousands of people and tons of goods have crossed this bridge travelling to the communities of north-western Yukon," said Mr. Kenyon. "This project will continue the Government of Yukon's commitment to improving our infrastructure and creating jobs."
The Takhini River Bridge is located about 45 kilometres northwest of Whitehorse. It is part of the primary east-west trade route for Yukon, along the Alaska Highway, that serves as a corridor connecting southern Canada to points in the north.
The Takhini River Bridge has undergone many improvements since it was built in 1968. In 1991, it was strengthened by adding extra thicknesses of steel to the trusses, and in 1997 major deck patching was done.
This project will replace the deteriorated bridge deck, increase load capacity and increase the seismic resistance of the bridge. The Government of Yukon anticipates tendering the project later this spring and the work will take up to one year to complete.
The governments of Canada and Yukon are each contributing half of the funding to rehabilitate the bridge under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program.
Under the SHIP agreement, the Government of Canada and the Territory of Yukon are jointly funding $8.8 million for transportation improvement projects in the territory. The Canada-Yukon Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program agreement, signed April 8, 2002, is part of the national $600 million Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program announced in April 2001.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.
A backgrounder with further information on the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program is attached.
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Contacts:
Irène MarcheterreDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Transport, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
Vera HoliadCommunicationsTransport Canada, Ottawa(613) 993-0055
Marie-Louise Boylan, CommunicationsHighways and Public Works,Government of Yukon(867) 667-3146
This news release is also available on the internet at: http://www.gov.yk.ca/news.
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BACKGROUNDERSTRATEGIC HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
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 Yukon is $4.4 million. Transport Canada has had two federal contribution programs with Yukon since 1993 for a total of $14.4 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 $1.9 billion between 1993 and 2005 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.
April 2005
