Hamilton, Ontario, July 25, 2008 - The official opening of the newly constructed Ferguson Avenue Bridge in Hamilton was celebrated today by David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, along with Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Gerry Davis of Hamilton's Public Works Department.
"The Ferguson Avenue Bridge will help Hamilton residents by decreasing traffic congestion, improving safety for pedestrians, and increasing the number bicycle lanes," MP Sweet said. "This new bridge provides another route to Hamilton's waterfront and is a great example of modern infrastructure our government is committed to improving around Canada."
"I am pleased that the Government of Canada shares our commitment to renewing Hamilton's infrastructure," said Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger. "Not only will this investment bring tremendous community renewal benefits to the north end neighbourhood, it also provides a safe and convenient connection for pedestrians and cyclists to travel from the Mountain to our beautiful waterfront."
The Ferguson Avenue Bridge was built over the Canadian National Railway tracks on Ferguson Avenue North from Barton Street East to Simcoe Street East. Following an extensive public consultation process, the $4.6 million construction project began in November 2006. A new bridge structure and approach embankments were constructed, as well as a lane of traffic in each direction, bicycle lanes and a sidewalk. The new bridge reconnects the two parts of Ferguson Avenue north of Barton that were separated by railway tracks and provides another route to Hamilton's waterfront.
The bridge reflects the goals of the Ferguson Avenue Master Plan to develop Ferguson Avenue as a 'green, treed and landscaped corridor from the Mountain to the Bay.' This project is also in line with Hamilton's recently adopted Transportation Master Plan which emphasizes enhanced cycling and walking facilities and an efficient road network to support economic development.
The Ferguson Avenue Bridge project received funding from the Government of Canada through the federal Gas Tax Fund. A total of $1.7 million was provided for the construction of the two-span steel bridge. From 2005-2010, the City of Hamilton will receive nearly $80 million through the federal Gas Tax Fund and are already pursuing transit and waste management projects with this money.
"The federal Gas Tax Fund and the Ontario Government's transit and infrastructure programs recognize that all three orders of government must work together to address the pressing need for infrastructure investment in Ontario," said Doug Reycraft, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). "Federal and provincial infrastructure funding is critical to the competitiveness, environmental sustainability and the future prosperity of Ontario's communities."
Funding for this bridge is consistent with the investments the Government of Canada is making in infrastructure. Through its unprecedented $33 billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is providing long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada will focus on infrastructure investments that contribute to cleaner air, water and land, as well as a contributing to a stronger economy and better communities. The Gas Tax Fund becomes permanent in 2014 at $2 billion per year, providing Canadian municipalities with predictable infrastructure funding.
For more information, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
Kelly Anderson
Public Affairs Coordinator
City of Hamilton
Public Works Department
905-546-2424 x1430
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148