No. H060/06For release June 26, 2006
REGINA — The Government of Canada will award $61,599 to two winning projects
that advance transportation planning and enhance integration and connections
between modes. The projects are being funded under the Transportation Planning
and Modal Integration initiatives, as announced today by the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
"These projects will help to investigate how we can better combine
transportation modes for greater efficiency and integration of the
transportation system," said Minister Cannon. "A sustainable and efficient
transportation system plays an important role in ensuring Canada's competitive
success in global trade where markets are increasingly in competition with one
another."
"I am very pleased that Saskatchewan will benefit from this program," said the
Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western
Economic Diversification. "Physical and electronic connections between modes of
transportation, such as rail and marine, are required. New technologies can
improve the coordination between modes and help to design systems that can
manage the increasing demands on our transportation infrastructure."
Under the Transportation Planning and Modal Integration initiatives, applicants can submit
project ideas to Transport Canada, which then selects and contributes funding to
the successful projects.
As part of the selection process, successful projects have to meet one or more
of the following objectives:
support trade, tourism and traffic flows through integrated surface
transportation corridors;
enhance integration and improve connections between modes, through
infrastructure and technology initiatives;
increase transportation mobility, safety, security and efficiency for private,
public and commercial system users;
promote the integration of sustainable transportation principles into
transportation decisions; or
improve data collection for more effective policy planning and operational
management.
To date, approximately $5 million in funding has been granted to a total of 45 projects across the country, including the projects announced today.
Federal funding for these projects was built into the existing financial
framework.
A backgrounder describing the Transportation Planning and Modal Integration
initiatives and the winning projects is attached.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Linda Licari
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
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
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
AND MODAL INTEGRATION INITIATIVES
The Government of Canada encourages the development of innovative approaches
to transportation issues to boost the efficiency and integration of the
transportation system as a whole and ensure its sustainability. By supporting
the development of transportation-related expertise and research in the public,
private and academic sectors, Transport Canada can foster the innovation that
will be required to help our transportation system adapt to the challenges of
the future. Funding for the Transportation Planning and Modal Integration
initiative is part of the Government of Canada's $600-million Strategic Highway
Infrastructure Program.
The following projects have been selected for the second round of funding under
the Transportation Planning and Modal Integration initiative.
Project descriptions
Clearing the Path – Primary Weight Corridors for Rural Saskatchewan
The current road transportation system in Saskatchewan is not fully
integrated in terms of vehicle weight allowed on roads. The Saskatchewan
Association of Rural Municipalities will receive up to $41,599 to develop a
rural primary weight corridor system which will help achieve a more integrated
transportation system in terms of vehicle weight allowed on the road network. To
that end it will identify sections of municipal roads that if upgraded could
provide strategic linkages to the current primary weight highway system that
connects to major terminals for commodity railway transportation.
Feasibility Analysis of the Economic, Environmental and Security Benefits for
a Multimodal Freight Facility in the Regina Region
The Regina Regional Economic Development Authority will receive up to
$20,000 to complete a feasibility study for a proposed multimodal air-truck-rail
container facility. This feasibility analysis is required to assess the costs,
benefits and risks associated with the facility.
June 2006
