No. H267/05
For release November 25, 2005
CHÂTEAUGUAY, QUE. - As part of the Canada/Quebec Strategic Highway
Infrastructure Program to improve the transborder trade corridor along Highway
15 between Montreal and Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, the federal Minister of
Transport, Jean-C. Lapierre and the Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister
responsible for the Quebec City region, Michel Després, proudly announce the
start of construction of an inspection station on Highway 15 at
Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle. The project, an innovation for Quebec and for Canada,
is being carried out jointly by the Government of Canada, the SAAQ [Quebec
automobile insurance corporation] and the Quebec Department of Transport, which
is also responsible for the implementation of the project.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to see this important project moving
forward," said Mr. Lapierre. "These highway and border infrastructure
improvements will result in a more efficient movement of goods and people and
will also help strengthen Canada's economic ties to the United States, which
will benefit all Canadians."
The work involves the construction of a control station on Highway 15, situated
approximately 2.7 kilometres north of the border. This station will use
intelligent transportation systems, comprising a vehicle detecting system, an
embedded scale to weigh heavy vehicles on the highway, and automated
identification systems for heavy vehicles, made up of a transmitter/receiver and
cameras to provide optical recognition of licence plates, and variable message
signs.
The intelligent transportation systems equipment in this new station will be
integrated into the computer systems of the SAAQ, which will allow highway
controllers to screen heavy vehicles before they are required to report for
inspection.
The station should be operational by fall 2006, when a six-month testing period
will begin. The total investment for this project is $21.6 million.
Other work underway to improve the safety and efficiency of the Highway 15 trade
corridor includes development of a congestion detection system on Highway 15
South, improvement of existing lighting and installation of new lighting along
the centre strip, and landscaping to improve the look of the gateway for traffic
entering Quebec.
"The work to improve the quality and reliability of this strategic Quebec trade
corridor testifies once again to the importance placed on transportation by our
government, which will be allocating nearly $4 billion over the next three years
to improve Quebec's roads," said Mr. Després.
A backgrounder with further information on SHIP is attached.
-30-
Contacts:
Mylène Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Josée Delisle
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport
and Minister responsible for the Quebec City region
(418) 643-6980
Anne-Marie Bouchard
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
Julie Morin
Department of Transport
(450) 698-3400, ext. 226
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
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.
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 has
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.
