For Release
November 16, 2007
DELTA, British Columbia – Pedestrians and cyclists
will soon have access to a new foot bridge crossing over the Burlington
Northern Sante Fe (BNSF) rail line near the Delta South Surrey Greenway.
Ron Cannan, MP Kelowna-Lake Country, 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, and Val Roddick, MLA for Delta South,
today announced more than $433,000 in funding for the project through
the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF).
“The Greenway Pedestrian Overpass will provide a safe crossing
point over the rail line and encourage Delta residents to get outside
and enjoy the outdoors,” said MP Cannan on behalf of Minister Ambrose. “Our
Government is working in partnership, through the Canada-B.C. Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund, to build a healthier and more prosperous Delta.”
The funding will result in the construction of a 23.3 metre pedestrian
bridge over the BNSF rail line connecting two completed sections of the
Delta South Surrey Greenway near Highway 91 and Highway 10. The project
will provide a safe and legal crossing for cyclists, pedestrians and
equestrians. This project is conditionally approved, pending the successful
completion of an environmental assessment.
“By encouraging residents to get outdoors and bike or walk to
nearby destinations, we are making a difference for our environment and
physical health,” said Roddick. “This project is another
example of how government is helping to build greener, healthier, more
sustainable communities.”
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, Government of Canada 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, provincial and local government investment 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 percent 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 toward projects involving tourism,
recreation and other infrastructure.
Further 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
