CALGARY (Alberta), May 14, 2005 – The Calgary Ring Road is another step closer to completion, thanks to the signing of a federal-provincial contribution agreement. The Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and the Honourable John Godfrey, Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities) today announced that federal funding will now start to flow to the project. “The need for the Calgary Ring Road was first put forward long ago, and I am proud of today’s partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta in making this a reality,” said Minister McLellan, on behalf of the Minister of Transport Jean-C. Lapierre. The joint federal-provincial funding is supporting a 15-kilometre stretch of the northwest section of the ring road called Stoney Trail. Included in the project is the extension of Stoney Trail from Country Hills Boulevard to Deerfoot Trail (Highway 2), and construction of interchanges at three key locations. The Government of Canada is investing $75 million in the project. The Province of Alberta is contributing $175 million in total. Construction began in 2003 and is due to be completed by the end of 2007. “The New Deal for Cities and Communities is about establishing a long-term vision of sustainability and forging new relationships among all levels of government,” said Minister Godfrey. “This collaboration between Canada and Alberta is just one more example of how, together, we can focus our efforts to achieve real results.” “I am pleased the federal government is formally honouring the commitment made two years ago to contribute to the ring road in Calgary,” said Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation. “Construction is well underway on the northwest Stoney Trail.” The 15-kilometre section of Stoney Trail that is funded through this agreement will have interchanges built at Deerfoot Trail (Highway 2 north), Country Hills Boulevard, and Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) 1 west. A bridge will cross over the highway at Shaganappi Trail. The province will independently fund the widening of the existing 7.4 km section of road between the TCH west and Crowchild Trail, while constructing a full interchange at Crowchild Trail to connect the two northwest segments. Calgary’s ring road will divert trucks and other vehicles from urban road systems and reduce inner-city congestion. It will reduce harmful emissions from vehicles idling in traffic, improve the quality of life for people in the city, and facilitate the flow of goods to markets. A proposed northwest light rail transit extension may one day connect to the ring road, further enhancing the city’s transportation network. The partnership between Canada and Alberta to fund the project was first announced in May 2003. The Government of Canada’s contribution represents 50 percent of total costs that are eligible for funding under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, up to a maximum of $75 million in federal funds. Since 1993, the Government of Canada has committed over $12 billion to infrastructure priorities across Canada. Under the New Deal for Cities and Communities, an additional $5 billion will flow to communities across Canada over the next five years, with $2 billion per year thereafter. The Government of Alberta is investing a record $9.2 billion over the next three years in roads, schools, health facilities, and municipal infrastructure to build strong communities and support the future growth of the province. Details about the Stoney Trail project may be found at http://www.inftra.gov.ab.ca, in the section on Highway Construction Projects. -30- For more information, please contact: Infrastructure Canada Communications and Promotion (613) 948-1148 www.infrastructure.gc.ca Irene Marcheterre Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Jean−C. Lapierre Minister of Transport (613) 991-0700
