No. H 186/07
For release October 9, 2007
MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK — The extension of Vaughan Harvey and Assomption boulevards will improve traffic flow and will provide better access to several arterial routes throughout the city, thanks to federal, provincial and municipal investments. Officials from Canada's New Government, the Province of New Brunswick and the City of Moncton officially opened the extended bypass routes today.
"Extending the Vaughan Harvey and Assomption boulevards is another example of our government's commitment to delivering results for Canadians," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "These new routes will allow traffic to bypass a portion of Main Street as well as several other congested downtown streets, greatly improving the flow of goods and people in the area."
"The Province of New Brunswick is pleased to support this important project," said New Brunswick Transportation Minister Denis Landry. "These improvements are based on a long-term comprehensive traffic study that was conducted by the province and the municipalities of Greater Moncton. This study was focused on how to improve traffic patterns in the Greater Moncton area, giving consideration to future growth and economic development."
The total project cost was estimated at approximately $30 million, of which $19 million came from a joint funding agreement between the federal, provincial and municipal governments. Federal funding was provided through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
"All three levels of government have recognized the need for such an important project for a growing region like Greater Moncton," said Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton. "Our community will benefit from this investment, which will have a positive impact in many areas including economic development and traffic flow."
The bypass project involved the extension of Vaughan Harvey and Assomption boulevards to connect with the recently constructed Gunningsville Bridge across the Petitcodiac River. The Vaughan Harvey Boulevard extension is approximately one kilometre in length and the Assomption Boulevard extension is approximately 1.2 kilometres in length. Both routes consist of four lanes divided by medians, and they have controlled access.
The project is one of three bypass projects funded in the Greater Moncton Area that are designed to provide access-controlled alternative routes to existing, congested urban area streets. These projects are improving the efficiency and safety of Greater Moncton's transportation network and providing economic development benefits. The improvements allow traffic to move more efficiently between and around the three municipalities in the Greater Moncton Area.
Canada's New Government recognizes that there is a wide array of infrastructure needs across Canada and has announced a $33–billion, long-term Building Canada Plan to provide funding until 2014. The plan focuses on five main priorities: core national highways, public transit, clean water and sewage treatment infrastructure, and green energy.
One component of the Building Canada Plan is to provide each province and territory with
$25 million per year over seven years, which the provinces and territories can use for infrastructure rehabilitation.
Another component is the Building Canada Fund, which will provide $8.8 billion to support large and small projects in major cities and small communities in areas including wastewater treatment, highways, public transit, and cultural and recreational facilities.
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Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Tracey Burkhardt
Director of Communications
New Brunswick Department of Transportation
506-453-5634
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Natalie Belliveau
Communications Officer
Moncton, New Brunswick
506-877-7745
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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