News Release
For Release
March 5, 2007
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Saskatoon and four
nearby communities will benefit from a $2.1 million investment for infrastructure
projects from the Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan
through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
Today's announcement includes more than $1.2 million for the City
of Saskatoon to build noise attenuation walls between Clarence Ave. and
Preston Ave. In addition, the Town of Lanigan will be able to upgrade
its main street while the rural municipalities of Loreburn, Morris and
Prairie Rose can reconstruct grid roads.
Healthy Living Services Minister Graham Addley, on behalf of Government
Relations Minister Harry Van Mulligen, and Lynne Yelich, Member of Parliament
for Blackstrap, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of
the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental
Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, announced
the investment today.
"Today's announcement of funding from the province of $1
million for five projects in Saskatoon and area demonstrates our commitment
to supporting infrastructure and creating a strong future for our province," Addley
said. "We are dedicated to making life better for Saskatchewan
families of today and to building an even better future here for our
young people."
"Canada's New Government is getting things done for people
in and around Saskatoon," said MP Yelich. "Today's
$2.1 million investment recognizes that strong communities and their
economies require modern infrastructure and safe roads."
Before receiving final approval, community projects undergo a review process
under both the Canadian Environment Assessment Act and The Environmental
Assessment Act (Saskatchewan).
The federal and provincial governments are investing a total of $76
million in the four-year Canada-Saskatchewan MRIF. Participating communities
are expected to contribute one-half the cost of any project, which will
raise the total infrastructure investment above $152 million.
For more information on the Government of Canada and Province of Saskatchewan's
infrastructure programs, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.municipal.gov.sk.ca/mrd/prosimsi.shtml .
For additional information, contact:
Brenda Tarasiuk
A/Manager, Communications
Saskatoon, SK
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (306) 975-5943
Cathy Gourlie
Communications
Saskatchewan Government Relations
Regina, SK
Tel: 306-787-2687
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at
www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Backgrounder
Saskatoon and Area Infrastructure Projects Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund
City of Saskatoon Noise Attenuation
MRIF funding: $1,294,500;
Project cost: $2,589,000
This project is a continuation of the city's sound attenuation
wall program. The walls reduce the traffic noise levels in residential
neighbourhoods that comes from nearby city roads. Walls will be
built on the north side of Circle Dr. between Clarence Ave. and Preston
Ave.
Town of Lanigan Lanigan Main Street Upgrade
MRIF funding: $325,000;
Project cost: $650,000
The project will upgrade pavement on Lanigan's
Main St. so that traffic will have access to the Main St. district and
local shopping mall rather than bypassing the area along a narrow collector
street. The upgrade will allow traffic to use a four-lane divided urban
roadway rather than a seven-metre-wide, two-lane roadway.
R.M. of Loreburn Heavy Haul Road Upgrade
MRIF funding: $301,686; Project cost: $603,372
The R.M. of Loreburn will clay cap a heavy haul truck road that is a
major artery for the Gardiner Dam Grain Terminal.
R.M. of Morris Grid Reconstruction
MRIF funding: $171,348;
Project cost: $342,699
This project will involve rebuilding an existing grid road to establish
a 1:4 slope that can handle increased semi and grain truck traffic.
R.M. of Prairie Rose Upgrade Heavy Haul Road
MRIF funding: $73,050;
Project cost: $146,100
This project involves clay-capping part of Primary Grid 667, which
will serve as a heavy haul link between Highway 16 and Highway 5.
Total MRIF funding: $2,165,584
Total project costs: $4,331,171
* Project is exempt from environmental
assessment. Approval of all other projects is conditional upon receiving
a favourable environmental assessment.
