For Release
October 09, 2007
Comox, British Columbia – Traffic flow at the
Comox Valley Airport will be improved and vehicle emissions reduced thanks
to $1,309,316 in federal and provincial funding to construct a new traffic
circle. The funding announcement was made today by Kelowna-Lake Country
MP Ron Cannan and Comox Valley MLA Stan Hagen.
“Canada’s New Government is getting things done for the people
of Comox,” said Cannan, 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. “This
joint investment of $1.3 million will improve traffic flow to and from
the airport while also providing a safe path for pedestrians. Strong,
healthy communities require modern infrastructure, which is why we are
delivering on our promise to make our communities vibrant and productive
places to live, work and raise families.”
The Town of Comox will use the funding from the Canada-B.C. Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) to convert the existing intersection
at Knight and Pritchard Roads into a modern roundabout, improving overall
safety and efficiency for drivers and pedestrians who use the intersection.
It is expected this will reduce vehicle emissions by 20 to 30 per cent
by minimizing vehicle wait times and improving traffic flow. The project
will also result in the installation of new sanitary sewer mains and storm
drains across the intersection. This project is conditionally approved
pending the completion of an environmental assessment.
“Our government is committed to providing sustainable infrastructure
that benefits our communities and our environment,” said Hagen.
“We are pleased to partner with the federal government and the Town
of Comox to help reduce vehicle emissions and improve traffic flow and
safety for everyone travelling to and from the Comox Valley Airport.”
Under the initial CBCMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal
and provincial governments each committed $51 million to the fund, with
participating local governments expected to make up the remaining costs.
This year, Canada’s New Government and the Province of B.C. have
each provided an additional $23.5 million to the Canada-B.C. Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund as part of their commitment to help smaller
communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional
funding brings the total federal and provincial investment and matching
local government contribution in CBCMRIF projects to over $220 million.
The majority of the funding is targeted towards communities of fewer
than 250,000 people and at least 60 per cent of the funding will assist
with “green projects” such as drinking water supply, treatment
and distribution needs as well as wastewater and energy efficiency projects.
The remaining funds will be dedicated to other projects like tourism,
recreation and other infrastructure.
More details on the program are available through the Canada-British
Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund website, at www.canadabcmrif.ca.
For additional information, contact:
Karl Yeh
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(604) 666-4714
Marc Black
B.C. Ministry of Community Services
(250) 356-6334
