No. H149/06For release November 15, 2006
LA PÊCHE, Quebec − The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities,
the Honourable Lawrence Cannon; the Quebec Transport Minister, Mr. Michel
Després; the Minister responsible for the Outaouais region and MP for Chapleau,
Mr. Benoît Pelletier; and the MP for Gatineau,
Mr. Réjean Lafrenière, today announced the extension of Highway 5 in the
Outaouais region.
"The Highway 5 project in the Outaouais region is a priority for Canadas New
Government and for Outaouais residents. Our government is determined to produce
concrete results in the transportation sector for the benefit of Canadians,"
said Minister Cannon. "This new section of Highway 5 will contribute to the
economic growth of the Outaouais region and foster the development of tourism."
"Extending Highway 5 will help improve the flow of traffic on Highway 105 and
should have a positive effect on road safety in this area," said Minister
Després. "Todays announcement represents our commitment to develop Quebec
regions to their full potential."
"The extension of Highway 5 announced today confirms the importance of such a
highway segment for the development of our region," said Minister Pelletier.
"This project will help to reinforce social and economic ties between rural and
urban communities, which are essential to the Outaouais regions expansion."
"The realisation of this project represents the end of a file that has been a
constant priority throughout my entire career as MP for Gatineau," said MP
Lafrenière. "This is the most positive legacy I wish to leave for the persons I
represent."
Todays announcement covers funding for the construction of a 2.5-kilometre
highway segment in the municipality of Chelsea from Tulip Valley extending
northwards. The funding will also be used to prepare preliminary studies on a
second 6.5-kilometre segment that ends at the completed section of Highway 5 in
Wakefield.
The cost of this highway project has been estimated at approximately $32
million. The total cost of the work to build the 2.5-kilometre segment has been
estimated at $27 million by Transport Quebec, while the cost of studies on the
6.5-kilometre segment has been estimated at $5 million. The eligible costs of
the project will be shared by both levels of government under the Agreement
Regarding the Improvement of the Quebec Portion of the National Capital Region.
The construction work on the 2.5-kilometre section in the municipality of
Chelsea involves building an interchange, including two overpasses at the end of
Highway 5 in Tulip Valley and a four-lane divided extension of Highway 5 in a
rural area. This work will have no impact on the Gatineau Park area.
Funding for the 2.5-kilometre segment will help complete all the necessary
work to build this new section. Transport Quebec has already acquired the grassy
right-of-way to extend Highway 5. Work is scheduled to begin in 2007 for
completion in the fall of 2009.
On November 14, 2006, the Government of Canada completed an environmental
assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act for the 2.5-kilometre
segment. The work will begin after the call for tenders process, for which the
Government of Quebec is the main contractor.
Until 2008-2009, the funding will be used to complete assessment studies,
physical samples, plans and specifications and the estimates required before
construction can begin to build the second 6.5-kilometre segment, which is made
up of four lanes of divided highway.
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Contact:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and
Minister responsible for the Quebec region
613-991-0700Danny Kingsberry
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Josée Delisle
Press Secretary
Office of the Quebec Minister of Transport and
Minister responsible for the Quebec City region
418-643-6980Vincent Lamontagne
Political Advisor
Responsible for regional communications for the regional Cabinet of Minister
Benoît Pelletier
819-246-4558 (office)
819-639-1938 (cell)
Michel Marcotte
Information Officer
Ministère des Transports du Québec
819-772-3107, ext. 236
819-665-9980 (cell)
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at
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