BANFF, ALBERTA, October 28, 2005 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and the Honourable John Godfrey, Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities), today announced the first major contract awarded as part of a multi-million dollar project to twin the Trans Canada Highway (TCH) in Banff National Park of Canada.
Public Works and Government Services Canada awarded a $7,401,967 competitive contract to Arthon Construction Ltd. of Kelowna, British Columbia, to grade portions of the TCH being twinned in Banff National Park.
"This is the first major contract to be awarded as part of the Government of Canada's $50 million contribution towards improvements to the TCH in Banff National Park," said Minister McLellan. "This important project will bring considerable changes to the TCH and is a reflection of our commitment to the environment and to safety and sustainability in the country."
"With this project, Parks Canada is balancing the needs of nature and people," said Minister Dion. "This project will provide much needed improvements for motorist safety and the flow of goods, while providing a healthier environment and ecosystems by improving the protection of wildlife through the use of additional fencing and crossing structures."
"This contract was awarded after a competitive, transparent and fair process." said Minister Brison. "The improvements to this highway will provide a better service for Canadians while ensuring good value for their hard-earned tax dollars."
"Infrastructure Canada is proud to support this project, which will significantly improve road safety on this important commercial trade corridor between Vancouver, Calgary and points east," said Minister Godfrey. "It is just one of the projects contributing to safer and faster movement of people and goods on Canada's major land transportation routes."
This next phase of the TCH twinning project in Banff National Park targets upgrades between the Icefields Parkway Interchange and east of Lake Louise. Priority has been given to maximizing motorist safety, to bringing about environmental improvements and to resolving wildlife and traffic conflicts.
The work under this contract will involve grading select sections of the roadway. It will consist of excavating and blasting an approximately 30 metre high cut in the vicinity of Lake Louise, clearing and grubbing of the alignment, as well as acquiring and installing drainage culverts. Awarded on behalf of Parks Canada, this contract will be completed by the end of July 2006.
This investment was announced in 2003 as a "national priority project" component of the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
Information:
Brigitte Caron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Greg Kingdon
Senior Communications Advisor
Western and Northern Canada
Parks Canada
(403) 292-4540
