No. H217/05For release November 7, 2005
WINNIPEG - Anita Neville, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, and Manitoba Minister of Transportation and Government Services Ron Lemieux, today announced the completion of a new $3.3 million intersection on the Trans-Canada Highway at the John Blumberg Sports Complex. The project was funded under the Canada/Manitoba Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program.
"This project will improve the safety of, and reduce congestion at, this busy intersection," said Ms. Neville. "It reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to working with the Province of Manitoba to improve the safety of this province's highways."
"Manitoba is very pleased with the infrastructure renewal projects we have been able to undertake through the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program agreement with our federal partners," said Mr. Lemieux. "The program has enabled us to combine significant resources with our shared commitment to infrastructure investment and protect its major role in national and provincial economic growth."
Improvements to this intersection were needed to minimize congestion and to provide safer access to the John Blumberg Sports Complex just west of Winnipeg. The improvements consisted of the construction of turning lanes, the installation of a raised median to separate traffic travelling in opposite directions, the construction of a service road, the replacement of a culvert, and upgrades to traffic control signals, road lighting and signs. Finishing details such as the final overlay of asphalt are scheduled for the spring of 2006.
A final project to improve safety and mitigate congestion in this area is scheduled to begin in 2006 at the Highway 1 and Coverall/Husky intersection. The project will involve upgrading the intersection to meet current standards, the installation of turning lanes, the construction of service roads, a raised median and upgrades to traffic signals, road lighting and signs.
Other projects funded by the Canada/Manitoba Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program include:
intersection improvements and the upgrade to four lanes of a 12-kilometre section of the Trans-Canada Highway near Virden;
resurfacing and installation of passing lanes on a 28-kilometre section of Highway 16, between Minnedosa and Neepawa;
intersection improvements and the upgrade to four lanes of a 28-kilometre section of the Trans Canada Highway near Elkhorn and Kirkella;
intersection improvements and the upgrade to four lanes of a 19-kilometre section of the Trans Canada Highway between Highway 256 and Highway 83; and
intersection improvements to Highway 1 at Coverall/Husky.
Under the Canada/Manitoba Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program agreement, the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba have provided $40.4 million in joint funding for highway improvement projects in the province until March 2007. The agreement, signed January 24, 2002, is part of the national $600-million program announced by the Government of Canada in April 2001.
Federal funding for these projects is built into the existing financial framework.
A backgrounder with further information on the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program is attached.
- 30 -
Contacts:
Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Kirsten Goodnough
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
Harlan M. Mushumanski
Communications Coordinator
Public Affairs Branch
Communications Services, Manitoba
(204) 945-0787
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.
BACKGROUNDER
STRATEGIC HIGHWAY
INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM - MANITOBA
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 the Province of Manitoba is $40.4 million. Under previous joint highway funding agreements since 1993, Transport Canada has contributed $35 million to Manitoba. This brings the total funding from Transport Canada over the past 12 years to $55.2 million.
Environmental assessments that meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act are undertaken before projects begin. Funding for projects is conditional on the results of these assessments and receipt of environmental approvals.
Under the second component of SHIP, the federal government provides $100 million to fund initiatives that better integrate the transportation system. These include the deployment of intelligent transportation systems across Canada, improvements at border crossings and improving transportation planning and modal integration. 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.
The program 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 $1.8 billion between 1993 and 2004 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.
For more information on the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/SHIP/menu.htm.
November 2005
